U.S. patent application number 17/036728 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-11 for path providing device and path providing method thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Jihyun KIM, Jinsang LEE.
Application Number | 20210039676 17/036728 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005161226 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210039676 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Jinsang ; et
al. |
February 11, 2021 |
PATH PROVIDING DEVICE AND PATH PROVIDING METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A path providing device is configured to provide path
information to a vehicle. The path providing device includes a
memory configured to store information used for estimating or
updating an optimal path, and the memory includes a plurality of
memories configured to store the information used for estimating or
updating the optimal path in different storage spaces based on
types of information to be stored.
Inventors: |
LEE; Jinsang; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Jihyun; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005161226 |
Appl. No.: |
17/036728 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/KR2019/009974 |
Aug 8, 2019 |
|
|
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17036728 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/32 20130101;
G06K 9/00798 20130101; B60W 60/0021 20200201 |
International
Class: |
B60W 60/00 20060101
B60W060/00; G06K 9/00 20060101 G06K009/00; G01C 21/32 20060101
G01C021/32 |
Claims
1. A path providing device configured to provide path information
to a vehicle, the device comprising: a communication unit
configured to receive map information from a server, the map
information comprising a plurality of layers of data; an interface
unit configured to receive sensing information from one or more
sensors disposed at the vehicle, the sensing information comprising
an image received from an image sensor; a processor configured to:
based on the sensing information, identify a lane in which the
vehicle is located among a plurality of lanes of a road, determine
an optimal path for guiding the vehicle from the identified lane,
the optimal path comprising one or more lanes included in the map
information, based on the sensing information and the optimal path,
generate autonomous driving visibility information to be
transmitted to at least one of an electric component disposed at
the vehicle or the server, and update the optimal path based on the
autonomous driving visibility information and dynamic information
related to a movable object located in the optimal path; and a
memory configured to store information used for determining or
updating the optimal path, the memory comprising a plurality of
memories configured to store the information used for determining
or updating the optimal path in different storage spaces based on
types of information to be stored.
2. The path providing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
memories comprise: a first memory configured to store first data
based on power being supplied to the first memory; and a second
memory configured to retain second data while power is not supplied
to the second memory.
3. The path providing device of claim 2, further comprising a data
bus that is connected to the first memory and the second memory and
configured to transmit the map information received through the
communication unit to at least one of the first memory or the
second memory.
4. The path providing device of claim 3, further comprising one or
more interfaces that connect the data bus to the first memory and
the second memory.
5. The path providing device of claim 4, wherein the second memory
has a first processing speed and a first storage capacity, and
wherein the data bus is connected, through the one or more
interfaces, to an external storage, the external storage having a
second processing speed slower than the first processing speed and
a second storage capacity greater than the first storage
capacity.
6. The path providing device of claim 2, wherein the second memory
is divided into a plurality of storage spaces that are configured
to store different types of data, each of the plurality of storage
spaces being configured to store one of the plurality of
layers.
7. The path providing device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of
storage spaces of the second memory comprise: a first storage space
configured to store a first type of data corresponding to a first
layer among the plurality of layers; and a second storage space
configured to store a second type of data corresponding to a second
layer among the plurality of layers, the second layer being
different from the first layer.
8. The path providing device of claim 3, wherein each of the first
memory and the second memory is configured to perform bidirectional
data communication with the communication unit through the data
bus.
9. The path providing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
layers comprise at least one of a first layer including topology
data, a second layer including advanced driver-assistance systems
(ADAS) data, a third layer including high-density (HD) map data, or
a fourth layer including the dynamic information.
10. The path providing device of claim 1, wherein the memory is
further configured to store program instructions to be performed by
the processor for determining or updating the optimal path.
11. A non-transitory memory device having stored thereon program
instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause
performance of operations for providing path information to a
vehicle, the operations comprising: receiving map information from
a server, the map information comprising a plurality of layers of
data; receiving, through a communication unit, sensing information
from one or more sensors disposed at the vehicle, the sensing
information comprising an image received from an image sensor;
based on the sensing information, identifying a lane in which the
vehicle is located among a plurality of lanes of a road,
determining an optimal path for guiding the vehicle from the
identified lane, the optimal path comprising one or more lanes
included in the map information, based on the sensing information
and the optimal path, generating autonomous driving visibility
information to be transmitted to at least one of an electric
component disposed at the vehicle or the server, and updating the
optimal path based on the autonomous driving visibility information
and dynamic information related to a movable object located in the
optimal path.
12. The non-transitory memory device of claim 11, comprising: a
plurality of memories configured to store information used for
determining or updating the optimal path in different storage
spaces based on types of information to be stored.
13. The non-transitory memory device of claim 12, wherein the
plurality of memories comprise: a first memory configured to store
first data based on power being supplied to the non-transitory
memory device; and a second memory configured to retain second data
while power is not supplied to the non-transitory memory
device.
14. The non-transitory memory device of claim 13, wherein the first
memory and the second memory are connected to a data bus, the data
bus being configured to transmit the map information received
through the communication unit to at least one of the first memory
or the second memory.
15. The non-transitory memory device of claim 14, wherein the
second memory has a first processing speed and a first storage
capacity, and wherein the data bus is connected to an external
storage, the external storage having a second processing speed
slower than the first processing speed and a second storage
capacity greater than the first storage capacity.
16. The non-transitory memory device of claim 13, wherein the
second memory is divided into a plurality of storage spaces that
are configured to store different types of data, each of the
plurality of storage spaces being configured to store one of the
plurality of layers.
17. The non-transitory memory device of claim 16, wherein the
plurality of storage spaces of the second memory comprise: a first
storage space configured to store a first type of data
corresponding to a first layer among the plurality of layers; and a
second storage space configured to store a second type of data
corresponding to a second layer among the plurality of layers, the
second layer being different from the first layer.
18. The non-transitory memory device of claim 14, wherein the
operations further comprise performing bidirectional data
communication between the communication unit and each of the first
memory and the second memory through the data bus.
19. The non-transitory memory device of claim 11, wherein the
plurality of layers comprise at least one of a first layer
including topology data, a second layer including advanced
driver-assistance systems (ADAS) data, a third layer including
high-density (HD) map data, or a fourth layer including the dynamic
information.
20. The non-transitory memory device of claim 13, wherein the first
memory comprises a random access memory (RAM), and the second
memory comprises a flash memory device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/KR2019/009974, filed on Aug. 8, 2019, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a path providing device
for providing a path to a vehicle and a path providing method
thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A vehicle may transport people or goods by using kinetic
energy. Representative examples of vehicles include automobiles and
motorcycles.
[0004] In some cases, for safety and convenience of a user who uses
the vehicle, various sensors and devices may be provided in the
vehicle, and functions of the vehicle may be diversified.
[0005] The functions of the vehicle may be divided into a
convenience function for promoting driver's convenience, and a
safety function for enhancing safety of the driver and/or
pedestrians.
[0006] The convenience function may provide the driver's
convenience, for example, by providing infotainment
(information+entertainment) to the vehicle, supporting a partially
autonomous driving function, or helping the driver ensuring a field
of vision at night or at a blind spot. In some examples, the
convenience functions may include various functions, such as an
active cruise control (ACC), a smart parking assist system (SPAS),
a night vision (NV), a head up display (HUD), an around view
monitor (AVM), an adaptive headlight system (AHS), and the
like.
[0007] The safety function may include a technique of ensuring
safeties of the driver and/or pedestrians, and various functions,
such as a lane departure warning system (LDWS), a lane keeping
assist system (LKAS), an autonomous emergency braking (AEB), and
the like. For convenience of a user using a vehicle, various types
of sensors and electronic devices may be provided in the vehicle.
For example, a vehicle may include an Advanced Driver Assistance
System (ADAS). In some cases, a vehicle may be an autonomous
vehicle.
[0008] The advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) may be improved
by a technology for optimizing user's convenience and safety while
driving a vehicle.
[0009] For example, in order to effectively transmit electronic
Horizon (eHorizon) data to autonomous driving systems and
infotainment systems, the European Union Original Equipment
Manufacturing (EU OEM) Association has established a data
specification and transmission method as a standard under the name
"Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Interface Specification
(ADASIS)."
[0010] In some cases, eHorizon software may be an integral part of
safety/ECO/convenience of autonomous vehicles in a connected
environment.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure describes a path providing device
capable of providing autonomous driving visibility information
enabling autonomous driving, and a path providing method
thereof.
[0012] The present disclosure also describes a path providing
device having a memory in which information for generating or
updating autonomous driving visibility information is stored in an
optimized manner, and a path providing method thereof.
[0013] According to one aspect of the subject matter described in
this application, a path providing device is configured to provide
path information to a vehicle. The device includes a processor, a
communication unit configured to receive map information from a
server, where the map information includes a plurality of layers of
data, and an interface unit configured to receive sensing
information from one or more sensors disposed at the vehicle, the
sensing information comprising an image received from an image
sensor. The processor is configured to, based on the sensing
information, identify a lane in which the vehicle is located among
a plurality of lanes of a road, determine an optimal path for
guiding the vehicle from the identified lane, where the optimal
path includes one or more lanes included in the map information,
based on the sensing information and the optimal path, generate
autonomous driving visibility information to be transmitted to at
least one of an electric component disposed at the vehicle or the
server, and update the optimal path based on the autonomous driving
visibility information and dynamic information related to a movable
object located in the optimal path. The path providing device
further includes a memory configured to store information used for
determining or updating the optimal path, where the memory includes
a plurality of memories configured to store the information used
for determining or updating the optimal path in different storage
spaces based on types of information to be stored.
[0014] Implementations according to this aspect may include one or
more of the following features. For example, the plurality of
memories may include a first memory configured to store first data
based on power being supplied to the first memory, and a second
memory configured to retain second data while power is not supplied
to the second memory. In some implementations, the path providing
device may further include a data bus that is connected to the
first memory to and the second memory and configured to transmit
the map information received through the communication unit to at
least one of the first memory or the second memory. In some
implementations, the path providing device may further include one
or more interfaces that connect the data bus to the first memory
and the second memory.
[0015] In some examples, the second memory has a first processing
speed and a first storage capacity, and the data bus may be
connected, through the one or more interfaces, to an external
storage having a second processing speed slower than the first
processing speed and a second storage capacity greater than the
first storage capacity.
[0016] In some implementations, the second memory may be divided
into a plurality of storage spaces that are configured to store
different types of data, each of the plurality of storage spaces
being configured to store one of the plurality of layers. In some
examples, the plurality of storage spaces of the second memory may
include a first storage space configured to store a first type of
data corresponding to a first layer among the plurality of layers,
and a second storage space configured to store a second type of
data corresponding to a second layer among the plurality of layers,
where the second layer is different from the first layer.
[0017] In some implementations, each of the first memory and the
second memory may be configured to perform bidirectional data
communication with the communication unit through the data bus. In
some implementations, the plurality of layers comprise at least one
of a first layer including topology data, a second layer including
advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) data, a third layer
including high-density (HD) map data, or a fourth layer including
the dynamic information.
[0018] In some implementations, the memory may be further
configured to store program instructions to be performed by the
processor for determining or updating the optimal path.
[0019] According to another aspect, a non-transitory memory device
has stored thereon program instructions which, when executed by at
least one processor, cause performance of operations for providing
path information to a vehicle. The operations include receiving map
information from a server, the map information comprising a
plurality of layers of data, receiving, through a communication
unit, sensing information from one or more sensors disposed at the
vehicle, where the sensing information includes an image received
from an image sensor, based on the sensing information, identifying
a lane in which the vehicle is located among a plurality of lanes
of a road, determining an optimal path for guiding the vehicle from
the identified lane, where the optimal path includes one or more
lanes included in the map information, based on the sensing
information and the optimal path, generating autonomous driving
visibility information to be transmitted to at least one of an
electric component disposed at the vehicle or the server, and
updating the optimal path based on the autonomous driving
visibility information and dynamic information related to a movable
object located in the optimal path.
[0020] Implementations according to this aspect may include one or
more of the following features or the features described above for
the path providing device. For example, the non-transitory memory
device may include a plurality of memories configured to store
information used for determining or updating the optimal path in
different storage spaces based on types of information to be
stored. In some implementations, the plurality of memories may
include a first memory configured to store first data based on
power being supplied to the first memory, and a second memory
configured to retain second data while power is not supplied to the
second memory.
[0021] In some implementations, the first memory and the second
memory may be connected to a data bus configured to transmit the
map information received through the communication unit to at least
one of the first memory or the second memory. In some examples, the
second memory has a first processing speed and a first storage
capacity, and the data bus may be connected to an external storage
having a second processing speed slower than the first processing
speed and a second storage capacity greater than the first storage
capacity.
[0022] In some implementations, the second memory may be divided
into a plurality of storage spaces that are configured to store
different types of data, where each of the plurality of storage
spaces may be configured to store one of the plurality of layers.
In some examples, the plurality of storage spaces of the second
memory may include a first storage space configured to store a
first type of data corresponding to a first layer among the
plurality of layers, and a second storage space configured to store
a second type of data corresponding to a second layer among the
plurality of layers, where the second layer is different from the
first layer.
[0023] In some implementations, the operations may further include
performing bidirectional data communication between the
communication unit and each of the first memory and the second
memory through the data bus. In some implementations, the plurality
of layers may include at least one of a first layer including
topology data, a second layer including advanced driver-assistance
systems (ADAS) data, a third layer including high-density (HD) map
data, or a fourth layer including the dynamic information.
[0024] In some implementations, the first memory may include a
random access memory (RAM), and the second memory may include a
flash memory device.
[0025] In some implementations, the processor may store a plurality
of map information made by different map information providers in
the divided plurality of storage spaces, separately, when the
plurality of map information is received.
[0026] In some implementations, the processor may store first map
information received from a first map information provider in a
first storage space among the plurality of storage spaces, and
store second map information received from a second map information
provider in a second storage space among the plurality of storage
spaces.
[0027] In some implementations, the processor may determine storage
spaces for storing the plurality of map information based on
respective capacities of the received plurality of map
information.
[0028] In some implementations, the processor may divide a driving
road to a destination into a plurality of path sections based on
road characteristics, and determine a type of map information to be
used for each of the divided path sections based on the road
characteristic.
[0029] In some implementations, the processor may generate an
optimal path using first map information associated with a first
characteristic for a path section having the first characteristic,
and generate an optimal path using second map information
associated with a second characteristic, different from the first
characteristic, for a path section having the second
characteristic.
[0030] In some implementations, the first map information and the
second map information may be different map information received
from different map information providers.
[0031] In some implementations, the first map information and the
second map information may be partial map information that has a
predetermined size or less and includes the divided path
sections.
[0032] In some implementations, the processor may determine a path
section including a current location of the vehicle among the
divided path sections, determine map information in the memory
based on a road characteristic of the determined path section, and
estimates an optimal path in lane units in the determined path
section by using the determined map information.
[0033] In some implementations, the memory may include a first
memory configured to temporarily store data while power is
supplied, and a second memory configured to store data even when
power is cut off.
[0034] In some implementations, the plurality of map information
may be stored in the second memory. The processor may divide a
driving road to a destination into a plurality of path sections
based on road characteristics, and determine map information to be
used for each of the divided path sections based on the road
characteristics, and generate an optimal path in each path section
by loading map information to be used for each path section from
the second memory into the first memory.
[0035] In some implementations, the processor may delete the loaded
map information when the vehicle has passed through a path section
in which the map information loaded to the first memory is
used.
[0036] In some implementations, the processor may preferentially
store information received through the communication unit in the
first memory, and delete the information from the first memory or
move the information to the second memory for storage based on a
type of the information stored in the first memory.
[0037] In some implementations, when information received through
the communication unit is map information having a predetermined
capacity or more, the processor may store the map information
having the predetermined capacity or more in an external storage
that is provided in the vehicle and located outside the path
providing device.
[0038] In some implementations, the second memory may be divided
into a plurality of storage spaces, and the plurality of layers of
the map information may be separately stored in the plurality of
storage spaces, respectively.
[0039] In some implementations, the processor may determine a type
of a memory in which each layer is stored and a storage space in
the second memory based on at least one of a type and a capacity of
each of the plurality of layers.
[0040] In some implementations, the path providing device may
include a memory optimized for generating or updating autonomous
driving visibility information.
[0041] In some implementations, the optimized memory may
effectively store and delete information necessary to perform
autonomous driving or lane-based path guidance.
[0042] In some implementations, the path providing device may
efficiently process received information using a plurality of
memories, and improve memory efficiency by storing or deleting
information according to a type of information.
[0043] In some implementations, the path providing device may store
different types of map information generated in different map
providers separately by dividing a memory into a plurality of
storage spaces, and may generate autonomous driving visibility
information or an optimal path by loading optimized map information
from the memory according to situations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an appearance of an example
vehicle.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the vehicle at various
angles.
[0046] FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an inside of an
example vehicle.
[0047] FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating example objects.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating example components of
an example vehicle.
[0049] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of Electronic
Horizon Provider (EHP).
[0050] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a path
providing device (e.g., the EHP of FIG. 8).
[0051] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of
eHorizon.
[0052] FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating examples of a
Local Dynamic Map (LDM) and an Advanced Driver Assistance System
(ADAS) MAP.
[0053] FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating examples of
receiving high-definition map data by a path providing device.
[0054] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method
for generating autonomous driving visibility information based on
receiving high-definition map by the path providing device.
[0055] FIG. 14 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of a
memory included in the path providing device.
[0056] FIGS. 15A and 15B are conceptual views illustrating an
example of a method for storing data received in a path providing
device into a memory.
[0057] FIG. 16 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of a
memory having a plurality of storage spaces.
[0058] FIGS. 17, 18, and 19 are conceptual views illustrating
example methods for controlling a memory.
[0059] FIGS. 20 and 21 are conceptual views illustrating an example
of storing map information in a memory.
[0060] FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 are conceptual views illustrating
example methods for controlling a memory.
[0061] FIGS. 25 and 26 are diagrams illustrating an example method
for generating an optimal path (route) using map information stored
in a memory.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0062] Description will now be given in detail according to one or
more implementations disclosed herein, with reference to the
accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with
reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components may be
provided with the same or similar reference numbers, and
description thereof will not be repeated.
[0063] A vehicle include various types of automobiles such as cars,
motorcycles and the like. Hereinafter, the vehicle will be
described based on a car.
[0064] The vehicle may include any of an internal combustion engine
car having an engine as a power source, a hybrid vehicle having an
engine and an electric motor as power sources, an electric vehicle
having an electric motor as a power source, and the like.
[0065] In the following description, a left side of a vehicle
refers to a left side in a driving direction of the vehicle, and a
right side of the vehicle refers to a right side in the driving
direction.
[0066] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an appearance of an example
vehicle.
[0067] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the vehicle at various
angles.
[0068] FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an inside of an
example vehicle.
[0069] FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating example objects.
[0070] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating example components of
an example vehicle.
[0071] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, a vehicle 100 may include
wheels turning by a driving force, and a steering input device 510
for adjusting a driving (ongoing, moving) direction of the vehicle
100.
[0072] The vehicle 100 may be an autonomous vehicle.
[0073] The vehicle 100 may be switched into an autonomous mode or a
manual mode based on a user input.
[0074] For example, the vehicle may be converted from the manual
mode into the autonomous mode or from the autonomous mode into the
manual mode based on a user input received through a user interface
apparatus 200.
[0075] The vehicle 100 may be switched into the autonomous mode or
the manual mode based on driving environment information. The
driving environment information may be generated based on object
information provided from an object detecting apparatus 300.
[0076] For example, the vehicle 100 may be switched from the manual
mode into the autonomous mode or from the autonomous module into
the manual mode based on driving environment information generated
in the object detecting apparatus 300.
[0077] In an example, the vehicle 100 may be switched from the
manual mode into the autonomous mode or from the autonomous module
into the manual mode based on driving environment information
received through a communication apparatus 400.
[0078] The vehicle 100 may be switched from the manual mode into
the autonomous mode or from the autonomous module into the manual
mode based on information, data or signal provided from an external
device.
[0079] When the vehicle 100 is driven in the autonomous mode, the
autonomous vehicle 100 may be driven based on an operation system
700.
[0080] For example, the autonomous vehicle 100 may be driven based
on information, data or signal generated in a driving system 710, a
parking exit system 740 and a parking system 750.
[0081] When the vehicle 100 is driven in the manual mode, the
autonomous vehicle 100 may receive a user input for driving through
a driving control apparatus 500. The vehicle 100 may be driven
based on the user input received through the driving control
apparatus 500.
[0082] An overall length refers to a length from a front end to a
rear end of the vehicle 100, a width refers to a width of the
vehicle 100, and a height refers to a length from a bottom of a
wheel to a roof. In the following description, an overall-length
direction L may refer to a direction which is a criterion for
measuring the overall length of the vehicle 100, a width direction
W may refer to a direction that is a criterion for measuring a
width of the vehicle 100, and a height direction H may refer to a
direction that is a criterion for measuring a height of the vehicle
100.
[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the vehicle 100 may include a user
interface apparatus 200, an object detecting apparatus 300, a
communication apparatus 400, a driving control apparatus 500, a
vehicle operating apparatus 600, an operation system 700, a
navigation system 770, a sensing unit 120, an interface unit 130, a
memory 140, a controller 170 and a power supply unit 190.
[0084] In some implementations, the vehicle 100 may include more
components in addition to components to be explained in this
specification or may not include some of those components to be
explained in this specification.
[0085] The user interface apparatus 200 is an apparatus for
communication between the vehicle 100 and a user. The user
interface apparatus 200 may receive a user input and provide
information generated in the vehicle 100 to the user. The vehicle
100 may implement user interfaces (UIs) or user experiences (UXs)
through the user interface apparatus 200.
[0086] The user interface apparatus 200 may include an input unit
210, an internal camera 220, a biometric sensing unit 230, an
output unit 250 and at least one processor, such as processor
270.
[0087] In some implementations, the user interface apparatus 200
may include more components in addition to components to be
explained in this specification or may not include some of those
components to be explained in this specification.
[0088] The input unit 210 may allow the user to input information.
Data collected in the input unit 210 may be analyzed by the
processor 270 and processed as a user's control command.
[0089] The input unit 210 may be disposed inside the vehicle. For
example, the input unit 210 may be disposed on one area of a
steering wheel, one area of an instrument panel, one area of a
seat, one area of each pillar, one area of a door, one area of a
center console, one area of a headlining, one area of a sun visor,
one area of a wind shield, one area of a window or the like.
[0090] The input unit 210 may include an audio input module 211, a
gesture input module 212, a touch input module 213, and a
mechanical input module 214.
[0091] The audio input module 211 may convert a user's voice input
into an electric signal. The converted electric signal may be
provided to the processor 270 or the controller 170.
[0092] The audio input module 211 may include at least one
microphone.
[0093] The gesture input module 212 may convert a user's gesture
input into an electric signal. The converted electric signal may be
provided to the processor 270 or the controller 170.
[0094] The gesture input module 212 may include at least one of an
infrared sensor and an image sensor for detecting the user's
gesture input.
[0095] In some implementations, the gesture input module 212 may
detect a user's three-dimensional (3D) gesture input. To this end,
the gesture input module 212 may include a light emitting diode
outputting a plurality of infrared rays or a plurality of image
sensors.
[0096] The gesture input module 212 may detect the user's 3D
gesture input by a time of flight (TOF) method, a structured light
method or a disparity method.
[0097] The touch input module 213 may convert the user's touch
input into an electric signal. The converted electric signal may be
provided to the processor 270 or the controller 170.
[0098] The touch input module 213 may include a touch sensor for
detecting the user's touch input.
[0099] In some implementations, the touch input module 213 may be
integrated with the display module 251 so as to implement a touch
screen. The touch screen may provide an input interface and an
output interface between the vehicle 100 and the user.
[0100] The mechanical input module 214 may include at least one of
a button, a dome switch, a jog wheel and a jog switch. An electric
signal generated by the mechanical input module 214 may be provided
to the processor 270 or the controller 170.
[0101] The mechanical input module 214 may be arranged on a
steering wheel, a center fascia, a center console, a cockpit
module, a door and the like.
[0102] The internal camera 220 may acquire an internal image of the
vehicle. The processor 270 may detect a user's state based on the
internal image of the vehicle. The processor 270 may acquire
information related to the user's gaze from the internal image of
the vehicle. The processor 270 may detect a user gesture from the
internal image of the vehicle.
[0103] The biometric sensing unit 230 may acquire the user's
biometric information. The biometric sensing unit 230 may include a
sensor for detecting the user's biometric information and acquire
fingerprint information and heart rate information regarding the
user using the sensor. The biometric information may be used for
user authentication.
[0104] The output unit 250 may generate an output related to a
visual, audible or tactile signal.
[0105] The output unit 250 may include at least one of a display
module 251, an audio output module 252 and a haptic output module
253.
[0106] The display module 251 may output graphic objects
corresponding to various types of information.
[0107] The display module 251 may include at least one of a liquid
crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-LCD (TFT LCD), an
organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a
three-dimensional (3D) display and an e-ink display.
[0108] The display module 251 may be inter-layered or integrated
with a touch input module 213 to implement a touch screen.
[0109] The display module 251 may be implemented as a head up
display (HUD). When the display module 251 is implemented as the
HUD, the display module 251 may be provided with a projecting
module so as to output information through an image which is
projected on a windshield or a window.
[0110] The display module 251 may include a transparent display.
The transparent display may be attached to the windshield or the
window.
[0111] The transparent display may have a predetermined degree of
transparency and output a predetermined screen thereon. The
transparent display may include at least one of a thin film
electroluminescent (TFEL), a transparent OLED, a transparent LCD, a
transmissive transparent display and a transparent LED display. The
transparent display may have adjustable transparency.
[0112] In some examples, the user interface apparatus 200 may
include a plurality of display modules 251a to 251g.
[0113] The display module 251 may be disposed on one area of a
steering wheel, one area 521a, 251b, 251e of an instrument panel,
one area 251d of a seat, one area 251f of each pillar, one area
251g of a door, one area of a center console, one area of a
headlining or one area of a sun visor, or implemented on one area
251c of a windshield or one area 251h of a window.
[0114] The audio output module 252 converts an electric signal
provided from the processor 270 or the controller 170 into an audio
signal for output. To this end, the audio output module 252 may
include at least one speaker.
[0115] The haptic output module 253 generates a tactile output. For
example, the haptic output module 253 may vibrate the steering
wheel, a safety belt, a seat 110FL, 110FR, 110RL, 110RR such that
the user may recognize such output.
[0116] The processor 270 may control an overall operation of each
unit of the user interface apparatus 200.
[0117] In some implementations, the user interface apparatus 200
may include a plurality of processors 270 or may not include any
processor 270.
[0118] When the processor 270 is not included in the user interface
apparatus 200, the user interface apparatus 200 may operate
according to a control of a processor of another apparatus within
the vehicle 100 or the controller 170.
[0119] In some examples, the user interface apparatus 200 may be
called as a display apparatus for vehicle.
[0120] The user interface apparatus 200 may operate according to
the control of the controller 170.
[0121] The object detecting apparatus 300 is an apparatus for
detecting an object located at outside of the vehicle 100.
[0122] The object may be a variety of objects associated with
driving (operation) of the vehicle 100.
[0123] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an object O may include a
traffic lane OB10, another vehicle OB11, a pedestrian OB12, a
two-wheeled vehicle OB13, traffic signals OB14 and OB15, light, a
road, a structure, a speed hump, a terrain, an animal and the
like.
[0124] The lane OB01 may be a driving lane, a lane next to the
driving lane or a lane on which another vehicle comes in an
opposite direction to the vehicle 100. The lanes OB10 may include
left and right lines forming a lane.
[0125] The another vehicle OB11 may be a vehicle which is moving
around the vehicle 100. The another vehicle OB11 may be a vehicle
located within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 100. For
example, the another vehicle OB11 may be a vehicle which moves
before or after the vehicle 100. In some examples, the vehicle 100
may be a first vehicle, and the vehicle OB11 may be a second
vehicle.
[0126] The pedestrian OB12 may be a person located near the vehicle
100. The pedestrian OB12 may be a person located within a
predetermined distance from the vehicle 100. For example, the
pedestrian OB12 may be a person located on a sidewalk or
roadway.
[0127] The two-wheeled vehicle OB12 may refer to a vehicle
(transportation facility) that is located near the vehicle 100 and
moves using two wheels. The two-wheeled vehicle OB12 may be a
vehicle that is located within a predetermined distance from the
vehicle 100 and has two wheels. For example, the two-wheeled
vehicle OB13 may be a motorcycle or a bicycle that is located on a
sidewalk or roadway.
[0128] The traffic signals may include a traffic light OB15, a
traffic sign OB14 and a pattern or text drawn on a road
surface.
[0129] The light may be light emitted from a lamp provided on
another vehicle. The light may be light generated from a
streetlamp. The light may be solar light.
[0130] The road may include a road surface, a curve, an upward
slope, a downward slope and the like.
[0131] The structure may be an object that is located near a road
and fixed on the ground. For example, the structure may include a
streetlamp, a roadside tree, a building, an electric pole, a
traffic light, a bridge and the like.
[0132] The terrain may include a mountain, a hill and the like.
[0133] In some examples, objects may be classified into a moving
object and a fixed object. For example, the moving object may
include another vehicle or a pedestrian. The fixed object may be,
for example, a traffic signal, a road, or a structure.
[0134] The object detecting apparatus 300 may include a camera 310,
a radar 320, a LiDAR 330, an ultrasonic sensor 340, an infrared
sensor 350 and at least one processor, such as processor 370.
[0135] In some implementations, the object detecting apparatus 300
may further include other components in addition to the components
described, or may not include some of the components described.
[0136] The camera 310 may be located on an appropriate portion
outside the vehicle to acquire an external image of the vehicle.
The camera 310 may be a mono camera, a stereo camera 310a, an
around view monitoring (AVM) camera 310b or a 360-degree
camera.
[0137] For example, the camera 310 may be disposed adjacent to a
front windshield within the vehicle to acquire a front image of the
vehicle. Or, the camera 310 may be disposed adjacent to a front
bumper or a radiator grill.
[0138] For example, the camera 310 may be disposed adjacent to a
rear glass within the vehicle to acquire a rear image of the
vehicle. Or, the camera 310 may be disposed adjacent to a rear
bumper, a trunk or a tail gate.
[0139] For example, the camera 310 may be disposed adjacent to at
least one of side windows within the vehicle to acquire a side
image of the vehicle. Or, the camera 310 may be disposed adjacent
to a side mirror, a fender or a door.
[0140] The camera 310 may provide an acquired image to the
processor 370.
[0141] The radar 320 may include electric wave transmitting and
receiving portions. The radar 320 may be implemented as a pulse
radar or a continuous wave radar according to a principle of
emitting electric waves. The radar 320 may be implemented in a
frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) manner or a Frequency
Shift Keying (FSK) manner according to a signal waveform, among the
continuous wave radar methods.
[0142] The radar 320 may detect an object in a time of flight (TOF)
manner or a phase-shift manner through the medium of the electric
wave, and detect a position (or location) of the detected object, a
distance from the detected object and a relative speed with the
detected object.
[0143] The radar 320 may be disposed on an appropriate position
outside the vehicle for detecting an object which is located at a
front, rear or side of the vehicle.
[0144] The LiDAR 330 may include laser transmitting and receiving
portions. The LiDAR 330 may be implemented in a time of flight
(TOF) manner or a phase-shift manner.
[0145] The LiDAR 330 may be implemented as a drive type or a
non-drive type.
[0146] For the drive type, the LiDAR 330 may be rotated by a motor
and detect object near the vehicle 100.
[0147] For the non-drive type, the LiDAR 330 may detect, through
light steering, objects which are located within a predetermined
range based on the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 may include a
plurality of non-drive type LiDARs 330.
[0148] The LiDAR 330 may detect an object in a TOP manner or a
phase-shift manner through the medium of a laser beam, and detect a
position of the detected object, a distance from the detected
object and a relative speed with the detected object.
[0149] The LiDAR 330 may be disposed on an appropriate position
outside the vehicle for detecting an object located at the front,
rear or side of the vehicle.
[0150] The ultrasonic sensor 340 may include ultrasonic wave
transmitting and receiving portions. The ultrasonic sensor 340 may
detect an object based on an ultrasonic wave, and detect a position
of the detected object, a distance from the detected object and a
relative speed with the detected object.
[0151] The ultrasonic sensor 340 may be disposed on an appropriate
position outside the vehicle for detecting an object located at the
front, rear or side of the vehicle.
[0152] The infrared sensor 350 may include infrared light
transmitting and receiving portions. The infrared sensor 350 may
detect an object based on infrared light, and detect a position of
the detected object, a distance from the detected object and a
relative speed with the detected object.
[0153] The infrared sensor 350 may be disposed on an appropriate
position outside the vehicle for detecting an object located at the
front, rear or side of the vehicle.
[0154] The processor 370 may control an overall operation of each
unit of the object detecting apparatus 300.
[0155] The processor 370 may detect an object based on an acquired
image, and track the object. The processor 370 may execute
operations, such as a calculation of a distance from the object, a
calculation of a relative speed with the object and the like,
through an image processing algorithm.
[0156] The processor 370 may detect an object based on a reflected
electromagnetic wave which an emitted electromagnetic wave is
reflected from the object, and track the object. The processor 370
may execute operations, such as a calculation of a distance from
the object, a calculation of a relative speed with the object and
the like, based on the electromagnetic wave.
[0157] The processor 370 may detect an object based on a reflected
laser beam which an emitted laser beam is reflected from the
object, and track the object. The processor 370 may execute
operations, such as a calculation of a distance from the object, a
calculation of a relative speed with the object and the like, based
on the laser beam.
[0158] The processor 370 may detect an object based on a reflected
ultrasonic wave which an emitted ultrasonic wave is reflected from
the object, and track the object. The processor 370 may execute
operations, such as a calculation of a distance from the object, a
calculation of a relative speed with the object and the like, based
on the ultrasonic wave.
[0159] The processor may detect an object based on reflected
infrared light which emitted infrared light is reflected from the
object, and track the object. The processor 370 may execute
operations, such as a calculation of a distance from the object, a
calculation of a relative speed with the object and the like, based
on the infrared light.
[0160] In some implementations, the object detecting apparatus 300
may include a plurality of processors 370 or may not include any
processor 370. For example, each of the camera 310, the radar 320,
the LiDAR 330, the ultrasonic sensor 340 and the infrared sensor
350 may include the processor in an individual manner.
[0161] When the processor 370 is not included in the object
detecting apparatus 300, the object detecting apparatus 300 may
operate according to the control of a processor of an apparatus
within the vehicle 100 or the controller 170.
[0162] The object detecting apparatus 300 may operate according to
the control of the controller 170.
[0163] The communication apparatus 400 is an apparatus for
performing communication with an external device. Here, the
external device may be another vehicle, a mobile terminal or a
server.
[0164] The communication apparatus 400 may perform the
communication by including at least one of a transmitting antenna,
a receiving antenna, and radio frequency (RF) circuit and RF device
for implementing various communication protocols.
[0165] The communication apparatus 400 may include a short-range
communication unit 410, a location information unit 420, a V2X
communication unit 430, an optical communication unit 440, a
broadcast transceiver 450 and a processor 470.
[0166] In some implementations, the communication apparatus 400 may
further include other components in addition to the components
described, or may not include some of the components described.
[0167] The short-range communication unit 410 is a unit for
facilitating short-range communications. Suitable technologies for
implementing such short-range communications include Bluetooth,
Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association
(IrDA), Ultra-WideBand (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication
(NFC), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Wireless USB
(Wireless Universal Serial Bus), and the like.
[0168] The short-range communication unit 410 may construct
short-range area networks to perform short-range communication
between the vehicle 100 and at least one external device.
[0169] The location information unit 420 is a unit for acquiring
position information. For example, the location information unit
420 may include a Global Positioning System (GPS) module or a
Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) module.
[0170] The V2X communication unit 430 is a unit for performing
wireless communications with a server (Vehicle to Infra; V2I),
another vehicle (Vehicle to Vehicle; V2V), or a pedestrian (Vehicle
to Pedestrian; V2P). The V2X communication unit 430 may include an
RF circuit implementing a communication protocol with the infra
(V2I), a communication protocol between the vehicles (V2V) and a
communication protocol with a pedestrian (V2P).
[0171] The optical communication unit 440 is a unit for performing
communication with an external device through the medium of light.
The optical communication unit 440 may include a light-emitting
diode for converting an electric signal into an optical signal and
sending the optical signal to the exterior, and a photodiode for
converting the received optical signal into an electric signal.
[0172] In some implementations, the light-emitting diode may be
integrated with lamps provided on the vehicle 100.
[0173] The broadcast transceiver 450 is a unit for receiving a
broadcast signal from an external broadcast managing entity or
transmitting a broadcast signal to the broadcast managing entity
via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a
satellite channel, a terrestrial channel, or both. The broadcast
signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal
and a data broadcast signal.
[0174] The processor 470 may control an overall operation of each
unit of the communication apparatus 400.
[0175] In some implementations, the communication apparatus 400 may
include a plurality of processors 470 or may not include any
processor 470.
[0176] When the processor 470 is not included in the communication
apparatus 400, the communication apparatus 400 may operate
according to the control of a processor of another device within
the vehicle 100 or the controller 170.
[0177] In some examples, the communication apparatus 400 may
implement a display apparatus for a vehicle together with the user
interface apparatus 200. In this instance, the display apparatus
for the vehicle may be referred to as a telematics apparatus or an
Audio Video Navigation (AVN) apparatus.
[0178] The communication apparatus 400 may operate according to the
control of the controller 170.
[0179] The driving control apparatus 500 is an apparatus for
receiving a user input for driving. In a manual mode, the vehicle
100 may be operated based on a signal provided by the driving
control apparatus 500.
[0180] The driving control apparatus 500 may include a steering
input device 510, an acceleration input device 530 and a brake
input device 570.
[0181] The steering input device 510 may receive an input regarding
a driving (ongoing) direction of the vehicle 100 from the user. In
some examples, the steering input device 510 may be configured in
the form of a wheel allowing a steering input in a rotating manner.
In some implementations, the steering input device may also be
configured in a shape of a touch screen, a touch pad or a
button.
[0182] The acceleration input device 530 may receive an input for
accelerating the vehicle 100 from the user. The brake input device
570 may receive an input for braking the vehicle 100 from the user.
In some examples, each of the acceleration input device 530 and the
brake input device 570 may be configured in the form of a pedal. In
some implementations, the acceleration input device or the brake
input device may also be configured in a shape of a touch screen, a
touch pad or a button.
[0183] The driving control apparatus 500 may operate according to
the control of the controller 170.
[0184] The vehicle operating apparatus 600 is an apparatus for
electrically controlling operations of various devices within the
vehicle 100.
[0185] The vehicle operating apparatus 600 may include a power
train operating unit 610, a chassis operating unit 620, a
door/window operating unit 630, a safety apparatus operating unit
640, a lamp operating unit 650, and an air-conditioner operating
unit 660.
[0186] In some implementations, the vehicle operating apparatus 600
may further include other components in addition to the components
described, or may not include some of the components described.
[0187] In some examples, the vehicle operating apparatus 600 may
include a processor. Each unit of the vehicle operating apparatus
600 may individually include a processor.
[0188] The power train operating unit 610 may control an operation
of a power train device. The power train operating unit 610 may
include a power source operating portion 611 and a gearbox
operating portion 612.
[0189] The power source operating portion 611 may perform a control
for a power source of the vehicle 100.
[0190] For example, upon using a fossil fuel-based engine as the
power source, the power source operating portion 611 may perform an
electronic control for the engine. Accordingly, an output torque
and the like of the engine may be controlled. The power source
operating portion 611 may adjust the engine output torque according
to the control of the controller 170. For example, upon using an
electric energy-based motor as the power source, the power source
operating portion 611 may perform a control for the motor. The
power source operating portion 611 may adjust a rotating speed, a
torque and the like of the motor according to the control of the
controller 170.
[0191] The gearbox operating portion 612 may perform a control for
a gearbox.
[0192] The gearbox operating portion 612 may adjust a state of the
gearbox. The gearbox operating portion 612 may change the state of
the gearbox into drive (forward) (D), reverse (R), neutral (N) or
parking (P).
[0193] In some examples, when an engine is the power source, the
gearbox operating portion 612 may adjust a locked state of a gear
in the drive (D) state.
[0194] The chassis operating unit 620 may control an operation of a
chassis device.
[0195] The chassis operating unit 620 may include a steering
operating portion 621, a brake operating portion 622 and a
suspension operating portion 623.
[0196] The steering operating portion 621 may perform an electronic
control for a steering apparatus within the vehicle 100. The
steering operating portion 621 may change a driving direction of
the vehicle.
[0197] The brake operating portion 622 may perform an electronic
control for a brake apparatus within the vehicle 100. For example,
the brake operating portion 622 may control an operation of brakes
provided at wheels to reduce speed of the vehicle 100.
[0198] In some examples, the brake operating portion 622 may
individually control each of a plurality of brakes. The brake
operating portion 622 may differently control braking force applied
to each of a plurality of wheels.
[0199] The suspension operating portion 623 may perform an
electronic control for a suspension apparatus within the vehicle
100. For example, the suspension operating portion 623 may control
the suspension apparatus to reduce vibration of the vehicle 100
when a bump is present on a road.
[0200] In some examples, the suspension operating portion 623 may
individually control each of a plurality of suspensions.
[0201] The door/window operating unit 630 may perform an electronic
control for a door apparatus or a window apparatus within the
vehicle 100.
[0202] The door/window operating unit 630 may include a door
operating portion 631 and a window operating portion 632.
[0203] The door operating portion 631 may perform the control for
the door apparatus. The door operating portion 631 may control
opening or closing of a plurality of doors of the vehicle 100. The
door operating portion 631 may control opening or closing of a
trunk or a tail gate. The door operating portion 631 may control
opening or closing of a sunroof.
[0204] The window operating portion 632 may perform the electronic
control for the window apparatus. The window operating portion 632
may control opening or closing of a plurality of windows of the
vehicle 100.
[0205] The safety apparatus operating unit 640 may perform an
electronic control for various safety apparatuses within the
vehicle 100.
[0206] The safety apparatus operating unit 640 may include an
airbag operating portion 641, a seatbelt operating portion 642 and
a pedestrian protecting apparatus operating portion 643.
[0207] The airbag operating portion 641 may perform an electronic
control for an airbag apparatus within the vehicle 100. For
example, the airbag operating portion 641 may control the airbag to
be deployed upon a detection of a risk.
[0208] The seatbelt operating portion 642 may perform an electronic
control for a seatbelt apparatus within the vehicle 100. For
example, the seatbelt operating portion 642 may control passengers
to be motionlessly seated in seats 110FL, 110FR, 110RL, 110RR using
seatbelts upon a detection of a risk.
[0209] The pedestrian protecting apparatus operating portion 643
may perform an electronic control for a hood lift and a pedestrian
airbag. For example, the pedestrian protecting apparatus operating
portion 643 may control the hood lift and the pedestrian airbag to
be open up upon detecting pedestrian collision.
[0210] The lamp operating unit 650 may perform an electronic
control for various lamp apparatuses within the vehicle 100.
[0211] The air-conditioner operating unit 660 may perform an
electronic control for an air conditioner within the vehicle 100.
For example, the air-conditioner operating unit 660 may control the
air conditioner to supply cold air into the vehicle when internal
temperature of the vehicle is high.
[0212] The vehicle operating apparatus 600 may include a processor.
Each unit of the vehicle operating apparatus 600 may individually
include a processor.
[0213] The vehicle operating apparatus 600 may operate according to
the control of the controller 170.
[0214] The operation system 700 is a system that controls various
driving modes of the vehicle 100. The operation system 700 may
operate in an autonomous driving mode.
[0215] The operation system 700 may include a driving system 710, a
parking exit system 740 and a parking system 750.
[0216] According to implementations, the operation system 700 may
further include other components in addition to components to be
described, or may not include some of the components to be
described.
[0217] In some examples, the operation system 700 may include at
least one processor. Each unit of the operation system 700 may
individually include at least one processor.
[0218] According to implementations, the operation system may be
implemented by the controller 170 when it is implemented in a
software configuration.
[0219] In some implementations, the operation system 700 may be
implemented by at least one of the user interface apparatus 200,
the object detecting apparatus 300, the communication apparatus
400, the vehicle operating apparatus 600 and the controller
170.
[0220] The driving system 710 may perform driving of the vehicle
100.
[0221] The driving system 710 may receive navigation information
from a navigation system 770, transmit a control signal to the
vehicle operating apparatus 600, and perform driving of the vehicle
100.
[0222] The driving system 710 may receive object information from
the object detecting apparatus 300, transmit a control signal to
the vehicle operating apparatus 600 and perform driving of the
vehicle 100.
[0223] The driving system 710 may receive a signal from an external
device through the communication apparatus 400, transmit a control
signal to the vehicle operating apparatus 600, and perform driving
of the vehicle 100.
[0224] The parking exit system 740 may perform an exit of the
vehicle 100 from a parking lot.
[0225] The parking exit system 740 may receive navigation
information from the navigation system 770, transmit a control
signal to the vehicle operating apparatus 600, and perform the exit
of the vehicle 100 from the parking lot.
[0226] The parking exit system 740 may receive object information
from the object detecting apparatus 300, transmit a control signal
to the vehicle operating apparatus 600 and perform the exit of the
vehicle 100 from the parking lot.
[0227] The parking exit system 740 may receive a signal from an
external device through the communication apparatus 400, transmit a
control signal to the vehicle operating apparatus 600, and perform
the exit of the vehicle 100 from the parking lot.
[0228] The parking system 750 may perform parking of the vehicle
100.
[0229] The parking system 750 may receive navigation information
from the navigation system 770, transmit a control signal to the
vehicle operating apparatus 600, and park the vehicle 100.
[0230] The parking system 750 may receive object information from
the object detecting apparatus 300, transmit a control signal to
the vehicle operating apparatus 600 and park the vehicle 100.
[0231] The parking system 750 may receive a signal from an external
device through the communication apparatus 400, transmit a control
signal to the vehicle operating apparatus 600, and park the vehicle
100.
[0232] The navigation system 770 may provide navigation
information. The navigation information may include at least one of
map information, information regarding a set destination, path
information according to the set destination, information regarding
various objects on a path, lane information and current location
information of the vehicle.
[0233] The navigation system 770 may include a memory and a
processor. The memory may store the navigation information. The
processor may control an operation of the navigation system
770.
[0234] In some implementations, the navigation system 770 may
update prestored information by receiving information from an
external device through the communication apparatus 400.
[0235] In some implementations, the navigation system 770 may be
classified as a sub component of the user interface apparatus
200.
[0236] The sensing unit 120 may sense a status of the vehicle. The
sensing unit 120 may include a posture sensor (e.g., a yaw sensor,
a roll sensor, a pitch sensor, etc.), a collision sensor, a wheel
sensor, a speed sensor, a tilt sensor, a weight-detecting sensor, a
heading sensor, a gyro sensor, a position module, a vehicle
forward/backward movement sensor, a battery sensor, a fuel sensor,
a tire sensor, a steering sensor by a turn of a handle, a vehicle
internal temperature sensor, a vehicle internal humidity sensor, an
ultrasonic sensor, an illumination sensor, an accelerator position
sensor, a brake pedal position sensor, and the like.
[0237] The sensing unit 120 may acquire sensing signals with
respect to vehicle-related information, such as a posture, a
collision, an orientation, a position (GPS information), an angle,
a speed, an acceleration, a tilt, a forward/backward movement, a
battery, a fuel, tires, lamps, internal temperature, internal
humidity, a rotated angle of a steering wheel, external
illumination, pressure applied to an accelerator, pressure applied
to a brake pedal and the like.
[0238] The sensing unit 120 may further include an accelerator
sensor, a pressure sensor, an engine speed sensor, an air flow
sensor (AFS), an air temperature sensor (ATS), a water temperature
sensor (WTS), a throttle position sensor (TPS), a TDC sensor, a
crank angle sensor (CAS), and the like.
[0239] The interface unit 130 may serve as a path allowing the
vehicle 100 to interface with various types of external devices
connected thereto. For example, the interface unit 130 may be
provided with a port connectable with a mobile terminal, and
connected to the mobile terminal through the port. In this
instance, the interface unit 130 may exchange data with the mobile
terminal.
[0240] In some examples, the interface unit 130 may serve as a path
for supplying electric energy to the connected mobile terminal.
When the mobile terminal is electrically connected to the interface
unit 130, the interface unit 130 supplies electric energy supplied
from a power supply unit 190 to the mobile terminal according to
the control of the controller 170.
[0241] The memory 140 is electrically connected to the controller
170. The memory 140 may store basic data for units, control data
for controlling operations of units and input/output data.
[0242] The memory 140 may be a variety of storage devices, such as
ROM, RAM, EPROM, a flash drive, a hard drive and the like in a
hardware configuration. The memory 140 may store various data for
overall operations of the vehicle 100, such as programs for
processing or controlling the controller 170.
[0243] According to implementations, the memory 140 may be
integrated with the controller 170 or implemented as a sub
component of the controller 170.
[0244] The controller 170 may control an overall operation of each
unit of the vehicle 100. The controller 170 may be referred to as
an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
[0245] The power supply unit 190 may supply power for an operation
of each component according to the control of the controller 170.
Specifically, the power supply unit 190 may receive power supplied
from an internal battery of the vehicle, and the like.
[0246] At least one processor and the controller 170 included in
the vehicle 100 may be implemented using at least one of
application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal
processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),
programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays
(FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro controllers,
microprocessors, and electric units performing other functions.
[0247] In some examples, the vehicle 100 may include a path
providing device 800.
[0248] The path providing device 800 may control at least one of
those components illustrated in FIG. 7. From this perspective, the
path providing device 800 may be the controller 170.
[0249] Without a limit to this, the path providing device 800 may
be a separate device, independent of the controller 170. When the
path providing device 800 is implemented as a component independent
of the controller 170, the path providing device 800 may be
provided on a part of the vehicle 100. In some examples, the path
providing device 800 may include an electric circuit, a processor,
a memory, a controller, a transceiver, or the like.
[0250] Hereinafter, description will be given of implementations in
which the path providing device 800 is a component which is
separate from the controller 170, for the sake of explanation. As
such, according to implementations described in this disclosure,
the functions (operations) and control techniques described in
relation to the path providing device 800 may be executed by the
controller 170 of the vehicle. However, in general, the path
providing device 800 may be implemented by one or more other
components in various ways.
[0251] Also, the path providing device 800 described herein may
include some of the components illustrated in FIG. 7 and various
components included in the vehicle. For the sake of explanation,
the components illustrated in FIG. 7 and the various components
included in the vehicle will be described with separate names and
reference numbers.
[0252] Hereinafter, description will be given in more detail of a
method of autonomously traveling a vehicle in an optimized manner
or providing path information optimized for the travel of the
vehicle, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0253] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating Electronic Horizon Provider
(EHP) as an example of a path providing device.
[0254] Referring to FIG. 8, a path providing device 800 associated
with the present disclosure may autonomously control the vehicle
100 based on eHorizon (electronic Horizon).
[0255] The path providing device 800 may be an electronic horizon
provider (EHP).
[0256] Here, Electronic Horizon may be referred to as `ADAS
Horizon`, `ADASIS Horizon`, `Extended Driver Horizon` or
`eHorizon`.
[0257] The eHorizon may be understood as software, a module or a
system that performs the functions role of generating a vehicle's
forward path information (e.g., using high-definition (HD) map
data), configuring the vehicle's forward path information based on
a specified standard (protocol) (e.g., a standard specification
defined by the ADAS), and transmitting the configured vehicle
forward path information to an application (e.g., an ADAS
application, a map application, etc.) which may be installed in a
module (for example, an ECU, a controller 170, a navigation system
770, etc.) of the vehicle or in the vehicle requiring map
information (or path information).
[0258] In some systems, the vehicle's forward path (or a path to
the destination) is only provided as a single path based on a
navigation map. In some implementations, eHorizon may provide
lane-based path information based on a high-definition (HD)
map.
[0259] Data generated by eHorizon may be referred to as `electronic
horizon data` or `eHorizon data`.
[0260] The electronic horizon data may be described as driving plan
data used when generating a driving control signal of the vehicle
100 in a driving (traveling) system. For example, the electronic
horizon data may be understood as driving plan data in a range from
a point where the vehicle 100 is located to horizon.
[0261] Here, the horizon may be understood as a point in front of
the point where the vehicle 100 is located, by a preset distance,
on the basis of a preset travel path. The horizon may refer to a
point where the vehicle 100 is to reach after a predetermined time
from the point, at which the vehicle 100 is currently located,
along a preset travel path. Here, the travel path refers to a path
for the vehicle to travel up to a final destination, and may be set
by a user input.
[0262] Electronic horizon data may include horizon map data and
horizon path data. The horizon map data may include at least one of
topology data, ADAS data, HD map data, and dynamic data. In some
implementations, the horizon map data may include a plurality of
layers. For example, the horizon map data may include a first layer
that matches topology data, a second layer that matches ADAS data,
a third layer that matches HD map data, and a fourth layer that
matches dynamic data. The horizon map data may further include
static object data.
[0263] Topology data may be described as a map created by
connecting road centers. Topology data is suitable for roughly
indicating the position of a vehicle and may be in the form of data
mainly used in a navigation for a driver. Topology data may be
understood as data for road information excluding lane-related
information. Topology data may be generated based on data received
by an infrastructure through V2I. Topology data may be based on
data generated in an infrastructure. Topology data may be based on
data stored in at least one memory included in the vehicle 100.
[0264] ADAS data may refer to data related to road information.
ADAS data may include at least one of road slope data, road
curvature data, and road speed limit data. ADAS data may further
include no-passing zone data. ADAS data may be based on data
generated in an infrastructure. ADAS data may be based on data
generated by the object detecting apparatus 300.
[0265] ADAS data may be named road information data.
[0266] HD map data may include detailed lane-unit topology
information of a road, connection information of each lane, and
feature information for localization of a vehicle (e.g., traffic
signs, lane marking/attributes, road furniture, etc.). HD map data
may be based on data generated in an infrastructure.
[0267] Dynamic data may include various dynamic information that
may be generated on a road. For example, the dynamic data may
include construction information, variable-speed lane information,
road surface state information, traffic information, moving object
information, and the like. Dynamic data may be based on data
received by an infrastructure. Dynamic data may be based on data
generated by the object detecting apparatus 300.
[0268] The path providing device 800 may provide map data within a
range from a point where the vehicle 100 is located to the horizon.
The horizon path data may be described as a trajectory that the
vehicle 100 may take within the range from the point where the
vehicle 100 is located to the horizon. The horizon path data may
include data indicating a relative probability to select one road
at a decision point (e.g., fork, intersection, crossroads, etc.).
Relative probability may be calculated based on a time taken to
arrive at a final destination. For example, if a shorter time is
taken to arrive at the final destination when selecting a first
road than when selecting a second road at a decision point, the
probability to select the first road may be calculated higher than
the probability to select the second road.
[0269] The horizon path data may include a main path and a sub
path. The main path may be understood as a trajectory connecting
roads with a higher relative probability to be selected. The sub
path may be merged with or diverged from at least one point on the
main path. The sub path may be understood as a trajectory
connecting at least one road having a low relative probability to
be selected at the at least one decision point on the main
path.
[0270] eHorizon may be classified into categories such as software,
a system, and the like. eHorizon denotes a configuration of fusing
real-time events, such as road shape information of a
high-definition map, real-time traffic signs, road surface
conditions, accidents and the like, under a connected environment
of an external server (cloud server), V2X (Vehicle to everything)
or the like, and providing the fused information to the autonomous
driving system and the infotainment system.
[0271] In other words, eHorizon may perform the role of
transferring a road shape on a high-definition map and real-time
events with respect to the front of the vehicle to the autonomous
driving system and the infotainment system under an external
server/V2X environment.
[0272] In order to effectively transfer eHorizon data (information)
transmitted from eHorizon (i.e., external server) to the autonomous
driving system and the infotainment system, a data specification
and transmission method may be formed in accordance with a
technical standard called "Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Interface Specification (ADASIS)."
[0273] The vehicle 100 may use information, which is received
(generated) in eHorizon, in an autonomous driving system and/or an
infotainment system.
[0274] For example, the autonomous driving system may use
information provided by eHorizon in safety and ECO aspects.
[0275] In terms of the safety aspect, the vehicle 100 may perform
an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) function such as Lane
Keeping Assist (LKA), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) or the like, and/or
an AD (AutoDrive) function such as passing, road joining, lane
change or the like, by using road shape information and event
information received from eHorizon and surrounding object
information sensed through the sensing unit 840 provided in the
vehicle. Furthermore, in terms of the ECO aspect, the path
providing device 800 may receive slope information, traffic light
information, and the like related to a forward road from eHorizon,
to control the vehicle so as to get efficient engine output,
thereby enhancing fuel efficiency.
[0276] The infotainment system may include convenience aspect.
[0277] For example, the vehicle 100 may receive from eHorizon
accident information, road surface condition information, and the
like related to a road ahead of the vehicle and output them on a
display unit (for example, Head Up Display (HUD), CID, Cluster,
etc.) provided in the vehicle, so as to provide guide information
for the driver to drive the vehicle safely.
[0278] eHorizon (external server) may receive position information
related to various types of event information (e.g., road surface
condition information, construction information, accident
information, etc.) occurred on roads and/or road-based speed limit
information from the vehicle 100 or other vehicles or may collect
such information from infrastructures (for example, measuring
devices, sensing devices, cameras, etc.) installed on the
roads.
[0279] In addition, the event information and the road-based speed
limit information may be linked to map information or may be
updated.
[0280] In addition, the position information related to the event
information may be divided into lane units.
[0281] By using such information, the eHorizon system (EHP) may
provide information necessary for the autonomous driving system and
the infotainment system to each vehicle, based on a high-definition
map on which road conditions (or road information) may be
determined on the lane basis.
[0282] In other words, an Electronic Horizon (eHorizon) Provider
(EHP) may provide an absolute high-definition map using absolute
coordinates of road-related information (for example, event
information, position information regarding the vehicle 100, etc.)
based on a high-definition map.
[0283] The road-related information provided by the eHorizon may be
information included in a predetermined area (predetermined space)
with respect to the vehicle 100.
[0284] The EHP may be understood as a component which is included
in an eHorizon system and performs functions provided by the
eHorizon (or eHorizon system).
[0285] The path providing device 800 may be EHP, as shown in FIG.
8.
[0286] The path providing device 800 (EHP) may receive a
high-definition map from an external server (or a cloud server),
generate path (route) information to a destination in lane units,
and transmit the high-definition map and the path information
generated in the lane units to a module or application (or program)
of the vehicle requiring the map information and the path
information.
[0287] FIG. 8 illustrates an overall structure of an Electronic
Horizon (eHorizon) system.
[0288] The path providing device 800 (EHP) may include a
telecommunication control unit (TCU) 810 that receives a
high-definition map (HD-map) existing in a cloud server.
[0289] The TCU 810 may be the communication apparatus 400 described
above, and may include at least one of components included in the
communication apparatus 400.
[0290] The TCU 810 may include a telematics module or a vehicle to
everything (V2X) module.
[0291] The TCU 810 may receive an HD map that complies with the
Navigation Data Standard (NDS) (or conforms to the NDS standard)
from the cloud server.
[0292] In addition, the HD map may be updated by reflecting data
sensed by sensors provided in the vehicle and/or sensors installed
around road, according to the sensor ingestion interface
specification (SENSORIS).
[0293] The TCU 810 may download the HD map from the cloud server
through the telematics module or the V2X module.
[0294] In addition, the path providing device 800 may include an
interface unit 820. Specifically, the interface unit 820 receives
sensing information from one or more sensors provided in the
vehicle 100.
[0295] In some cases, the interface unit 820 may be referred to as
a sensor data collector.
[0296] The interface unit 820 collects (receives) information
sensed by sensors (V.Sensors) provided in the vehicle for detecting
a manipulation of the vehicle (e.g., heading, throttle, break,
wheel, etc.) and sensors (S.Sensors) for detecting surrounding
information of the vehicle (e.g., Camera, Radar, LiDAR, Sonar,
etc.)
[0297] The interface unit 820 may transmit the information sensed
through the sensors provided in the vehicle to the TCU 810 (or a
processor 830) so that the information is reflected in the HD map.
For example, the interface unit 820 may include at least one of an
electric circuit, a processor, a communication device, a signal
receiver, a signal transmitter, transceiver, or the like. In some
examples, the interface unit 820 may be a software module including
one or more computer programs or instructions. In some cases, the
interface unit 820 may be a part of the processor 830.
[0298] The communication unit 810 may update the HD map stored in
the cloud server by transmitting the information transmitted from
the interface unit 820 to the cloud server.
[0299] The path providing device 800 may include a processor 830
(or an eHorizon module).
[0300] The processor 830 may control the communication unit 810 and
the interface unit 820.
[0301] The processor 830 may store the HD map received through the
communication unit 810, and update the HD map using the information
received through the interface unit 820. This operation may be
performed in the storage part 832 of the processor 830.
[0302] The processor 830 may receive first path information from an
audio video navigation (AVN) or a navigation system 770.
[0303] The first path information is route information provided in
the related art and may be information for guiding a traveling path
(travel path, driving path, or driving route) to a destination.
[0304] In this case, the first path information provided in the
related art provides only one path information and does not
distinguish lanes.
[0305] In some implementations, when the processor 830 receives the
first path information, the processor 830 may generate second path
information for guiding, in lane units, a traveling path up to the
destination set in the first path information, by using the HD map
and the first path information. For example, the operation may be
performed by a calculation part 834 of the processor 830.
[0306] In addition, the eHorizon system may include a localization
unit 840 for identifying the position or location of the vehicle by
using information sensed through the sensors (V.Sensors, S.Sensors)
provided in the vehicle.
[0307] The localization unit 840 may transmit the position
information of the vehicle to the processor 830 to match the
position of the vehicle identified by using the sensors provided in
the vehicle with the HD map.
[0308] The processor 830 may match the position of the vehicle 100
with the HD map based on the position information of the
vehicle.
[0309] The processor 830 may generate horizon map data. The
processor 830 may generate horizon map data. The processor 830 may
generate horizon path data.
[0310] The processor 830 may generate electronic horizon data by
reflecting the traveling (driving) situation of the vehicle 100.
For example, the processor 830 may generate electronic horizon data
based on traveling direction data and traveling speed data of the
vehicle 100.
[0311] The processor 830 may merge the generated electronic horizon
data with previously-generated electronic horizon data. For
example, the processor 830 may connect horizon map data generated
at a first time point with horizon map data generated at a second
time point on the position basis. For example, the processor 830
may connect horizon path data generated at a first time point with
horizon path data generated at a second time point on the position
basis.
[0312] The processor 830 may include a memory, an HD map processing
part, a dynamic data processing part, a matching part, and a path
generating part.
[0313] The HD map processing part may receive HD map data from a
server through the TCU.
[0314] The HD map processing part may store the HD map data. In
some implementations, the HD map processing part may also process
the HD map data. The dynamic data processing part may receive
dynamic data from the object detecting device. The dynamic data
processing part may receive the dynamic data from a server. The
dynamic data processing part may store the dynamic data. In some
implementations, the dynamic data processing part may process the
dynamic data.
[0315] The matching part may receive an HD map from the HD map
processing part. The matching part may receive dynamic data from
the dynamic data processing part. The matching part may generate
horizon map data by matching the HD map data with the dynamic
data.
[0316] In some implementations, the matching part may receive
topology data. The matching part may receive ADAS data. The
matching part may generate horizon map data by matching the
topology data, the ADAS data, the HD map data, and the dynamic
data. The path generating part may generate horizon path data. The
path generating part may include a main path generator and a sub
path generator. The main path generator may generate main path
data. The sub path generator may generate sub path data.
[0317] In addition, the eHorizon system may include a fusion unit
850 for fusing information (data) sensed through the sensors
provided in the vehicle and eHorizon data generated by the eHorizon
module (control unit).
[0318] For example, the fusion unit 850 may update an HD map by
fusing sensing data sensed by the vehicle with an HD map
corresponding to eHorizon data, and provide the updated HD map to
an ADAS function, an AD (AutoDrive) function, or an ECO
function.
[0319] In some implementations, the fusion unit 850 may provide the
updated HD map even to the infotainment system.
[0320] FIG. 8 illustrates that the path providing device 800 merely
includes the communication unit 810, the interface unit 820, and
the processor 830, but the present disclosure is not limited
thereto.
[0321] The path providing device 800 may further include at least
one of the localization unit 840 and the fusion unit 850.
[0322] In addition, the path providing device 800 (EHP) may further
include a navigation system 770.
[0323] With such a configuration, when at least one of the
localization unit 840, the fusion unit 850, and the navigation
system 770 is included in the path providing device 800 (EHP), the
functions/operations/controls performed by the included
configuration may be understood as being performed by the processor
830. In some examples, the localization unit 840 may be referred to
as a sensing unit.
[0324] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a path
providing device (e.g., the EHP of FIG. 8) in more detail.
[0325] The path providing device refers to a device for providing a
route (or path) to a vehicle. For example, the path providing
device may be a device mounted on a vehicle to perform
communication through CAN communication and generate messages for
controlling the vehicle and/or electric components mounted on the
vehicle.
[0326] As another example, the path providing device may be located
outside the vehicle, like a server or a communication device, and
may perform communication with the vehicle through a mobile
communication network. In this case, the path providing device may
remotely control the vehicle and/or the electric components mounted
on the vehicle using the mobile communication network.
[0327] The path providing device 800 is provided in the vehicle,
and may be implemented as an independent device detachable from the
vehicle or may be integrally installed on the vehicle to construct
a part of the vehicle 100.
[0328] Referring to FIG. 9, the path providing device 800 includes
a communication unit 810, an interface unit 820, and a processor
830.
[0329] The communication unit 810 is configured to perform
communications with various components provided in the vehicle.
[0330] For example, the communication unit 810 may receive various
information provided through a controller area network (CAN).
[0331] The communication unit 810 may include a first communication
module 812, and the first communication module 812 may receive an
HD map provided through telematics. In other words, the first
communication module 812 is configured to perform `telematics
communication`.
[0332] The first communication module 812 performing the telematics
communication may perform communication with a server and the like
by using a satellite navigation system or a base station provided
by mobile communication such as 4G or 5G. For instance, the first
communication module 812 may include an electric circuit, a
processor, a controller, a transceiver, or the like. The first
communication module 812 may perform communication with a
telematics communication device 910. The telematics communication
device may include a server provided by a portal provider, a
vehicle provider and/or a mobile communication company.
[0333] The processor 830 of the path providing device 800 may
determine absolute coordinates of road-related information (event
information) based on ADAS MAP received from an external server
(eHorizon) through the first communication module 812. In addition,
the processor 830 may autonomously drive the vehicle or perform a
vehicle control using the absolute coordinates of the road-related
information (event information). For instance, the processor 830
may include an electric circuit, an integrated circuit, or the
like.
[0334] The communication unit 810 may include a second
communication module 814, and the second communication module 814
may receive various types of information provided through vehicle
to everything (V2X) communication. In other words, the second
communication module 814 is configured to perform `V2X
communication`. The V2X communication may be defined as a
technology of exchanging or sharing information, such as traffic
condition and the like, while communicating with road
infrastructures and other vehicles during driving. For instance,
the second communication module 814 may include an electric
circuit, a processor, a controller, a transceiver, or the like.
[0335] The second communication module 814 may perform
communication with a V2X communication device 930. The V2X
communication device may include a mobile terminal belonging to a
pedestrian or a person riding a bike, a fixed terminal installed on
a road, another vehicle, and the like.
[0336] Here, the another vehicle may denote at least one of
vehicles existing within a predetermined distance from the vehicle
100 or vehicles approaching by a predetermined distance or shorter
with respect to the vehicle 100.
[0337] The present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and the
another vehicle may include all the vehicles capable of performing
communication with the communication unit 810. According to this
specification, for the sake of explanation, an example will be
described in which the another vehicle is at least one vehicle
existing within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 100 or at
least one vehicle approaching by a predetermined distance or
shorter with respect to the vehicle 100.
[0338] The predetermined distance may be determined based on a
distance capable of performing communication through the
communication unit 810, determined according to a specification of
a product, or determined/varied based on a user's setting or V2X
communication standard.
[0339] The second communication module 814 may be configured to
receive LDM data from another vehicle. The LDM data may be a V2X
message (BSM, CAM, DENM, etc.) transmitted and received between
vehicles through V2X communication.
[0340] The LDM data may include position information related to the
another vehicle.
[0341] The processor 830 may determine a position of the vehicle
relative to the another vehicle, based on the position information
related to the vehicle 100 and the position information related to
the another vehicle included in the LDM data received through the
second communication module 814.
[0342] In addition, the LDM data may include speed information
regarding another vehicle. The processor 830 may also determine a
relative speed of the another vehicle using speed information of
the vehicle and the speed information of the another vehicle. The
speed information of the vehicle may be calculated using a degree
to which the location information of the vehicle received through
the communication unit 810 changes over time or calculated based on
information received from the driving control apparatus 500 or the
power train operating unit 610 of the vehicle 100.
[0343] The second communication module 814 may be the V2X
communication unit 430 described above.
[0344] If the communication unit 810 is a component that performs
communication with a device located outside the vehicle 100 using
wireless communication, the interface unit 820 is a component
performing communication with a device located inside the vehicle
100 using wired or wireless communication.
[0345] The interface unit 820 may receive information related to
driving of the vehicle from most of electric components provided in
the vehicle 100. Information transmitted from the electric
component provided in the vehicle to the path providing device 800
is referred to as `vehicle driving information (or vehicle travel
information)`.
[0346] For example, when the electric component is a sensor, the
vehicle driving information may be sensing information sensed by
the sensor.
[0347] Vehicle driving information includes vehicle information and
surrounding information related to the vehicle. Information related
to the inside of the vehicle with respect to a frame of the vehicle
may be defined as the vehicle information, and information related
to the outside of the vehicle may be defined as the surrounding
information.
[0348] The vehicle information refers to information related to the
vehicle itself. For example, the vehicle information may include a
traveling speed, a traveling direction, an acceleration, an angular
velocity, a location (GPS), a weight, a number of passengers on
board the vehicle, a braking force of the vehicle, a maximum
braking force, air pressure of each wheel, a centrifugal force
applied to the vehicle, a travel mode of the vehicle (autonomous
travel mode or manual travel mode), a parking mode of the vehicle
(autonomous parking mode, automatic parking mode, manual parking
mode), whether or not a user is on board the vehicle, and
information associated with the user.
[0349] The surrounding information refers to information related to
another object located within a predetermined range around the
vehicle, and information related to the outside of the vehicle. The
surrounding information of the vehicle may be a state of a road
surface on which the vehicle is traveling (e.g., a frictional
force), the weather, a distance from a preceding (succeeding)
vehicle, a relative speed of a preceding (succeeding) vehicle, a
curvature of a curve when a driving lane is the curve, information
associated with an object existing in a reference region
(predetermined region) based on the vehicle, whether or not an
object enters (or leaves) the predetermined region, whether or not
the user exists near the vehicle, information associated with the
user (for example, whether or not the user is an authenticated
user), and the like.
[0350] The surrounding information may also include ambient
brightness, temperature, a position of the sun, information related
to a nearby subject (a person, another vehicle, a sign, etc.), a
type of a driving road surface, a landmark, line information, and
driving lane information, and information for an autonomous
travel/autonomous parking/automatic parking/manual parking
mode.
[0351] In addition, the surrounding information may further include
a distance from an object existing around the vehicle to the
vehicle, collision possibility, a type of an object, a parking
space for the vehicle, an object for identifying the parking space
(for example, a parking line, a string, another vehicle, a wall,
etc.), and the like.
[0352] The vehicle driving information is not limited to the
example described above and may include all information generated
from the components provided in the vehicle.
[0353] In some examples, the processor 830 is configured to control
one or more electric components provided in the vehicle using the
interface unit 820.
[0354] Specifically, the processor 830 may determine whether or not
at least one of a plurality of preset conditions is satisfied,
based on vehicle driving information received through the
communication unit 810. According to a satisfied condition, the
processor 830 may control the one or more electric components in
different ways.
[0355] In connection with the preset conditions, the processor 830
may detect an occurrence of an event in an electric component
provided in the vehicle and/or application, and determine whether
the detected event meets a preset condition. At this time, the
processor 830 may also detect the occurrence of the event from
information received through the communication unit 810.
[0356] The application may be implemented, for example, as a
widget, a home launcher, and the like, and refers to various types
of programs that may be executed on the vehicle. Accordingly, the
application may be a program that performs various functions, such
as a web browser, a video playback, message transmission/reception,
schedule management, or application update.
[0357] In addition, the application may include at least one of
forward collision warning (FCW), blind spot detection (BSD), lane
departure warning (LDW), pedestrian detection (PD), Curve Speed
Warning (CSW), and turn-by-turn navigation (TBT).
[0358] For example, the occurrence of the event may be a missed
call, presence of an application to be updated, a message arrival,
start on, start off, autonomous travel on/off, pressing of an LCD
awake key, an alarm, an incoming call, a missed notification, and
the like.
[0359] As another example, the occurrence of the event may be a
generation of an alert set in the advanced driver assistance system
(ADAS), or an execution of a function set in the ADAS. For example,
the occurrence of the event may be an occurrence of forward
collision warning, an occurrence of blind spot detection, an
occurrence of lane departure warning, an occurrence of lane keeping
assist warning, or an execution of autonomous emergency
braking.
[0360] As another example, the occurrence of the event may also be
a change from a forward gear to a reverse gear, an occurrence of an
acceleration greater than a predetermined value, an occurrence of a
deceleration greater than a predetermined value, a change of a
power device from an internal combustion engine to a motor, or a
change from the motor to the internal combustion engine.
[0361] In addition, even when various electronic control units
(ECUs) provided in the vehicle perform specific functions, it may
be determined as the occurrence of the events.
[0362] For example, when a generated event satisfies the preset
condition, the processor 830 may control the interface unit 820 to
display information corresponding to the satisfied condition on one
or more displays provided in the vehicle.
[0363] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of
eHorizon.
[0364] Referring to FIG. 10, the path providing device 800 may
autonomously drive the vehicle 100 on the basis of eHorizon.
[0365] eHorizon may be classified into categories such as software,
a system, and the like. The eHorizon denotes a configuration in
which road shape information on a detailed map under a connected
environment of an external server (cloud), V2X (Vehicle to
everything) or the like and real-time events such as real-time
traffic signs, road surface conditions, accidents and the like are
merged to provide relevant information to autonomous driving
systems and infotainment systems.
[0366] For example, eHorizon may refer to an external server (a
cloud or a cloud server).
[0367] In other words, eHorizon may perform the role of
transferring a road shape on a high-definition map and real-time
events with respect to the front of the vehicle to the autonomous
driving system and the infotainment system under an external
server/V2X environment.
[0368] In order to effectively transfer eHorizon data (information)
transmitted from eHorizon (i.e., external server) to the autonomous
driving system and the infotainment system, a data specification
and transmission method may be formed in accordance with a
technical standard called "Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Interface Specification (ADASIS)."
[0369] The path providing device 800 may use information, which is
received from eHorizon, in the autonomous driving system and/or the
infotainment system.
[0370] For example, the autonomous driving system may be divided
into a safety aspect and an ECO aspect.
[0371] In terms of the safety aspect, the vehicle 100 may perform
an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) function such as Lane
Keeping Assist (LKA), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) or the like, and/or
an AD (AutoDrive) function such as passing, road joining, lane
change or the like, by using road shape information and event
information received from eHorizon and surrounding object
information sensed through the sensing unit 840 provided in the
vehicle.
[0372] Furthermore, in terms of the ECO aspect, the path providing
device 800 may receive slope information, traffic light
information, and the like related to a forward road from eHorizon,
to control the vehicle so as to get efficient engine output,
thereby enhancing fuel efficiency.
[0373] The infotainment system may include convenience aspect.
[0374] For example, the vehicle 100 may receive from eHorizon
accident information, road surface condition information, and the
like related to a road ahead of the vehicle and output them on a
display unit (for example, Head Up Display (HUD), CID, Cluster,
etc.) provided in the vehicle, so as to provide guide information
for the driver to drive the vehicle safely.
[0375] Referring to FIG. 10, the eHorizon (external server) may
receive location information related to various types of event
information (e.g., road surface condition information 1010a,
construction information 1010b, accident information 1010c, etc.)
occurred on roads and/or road-based speed limit information 1010d
from the vehicle 100 or other vehicles 1020a and 1020b or may
collect such information from infrastructures (for example,
measuring devices, sensing devices, cameras, etc.) installed on the
roads.
[0376] In addition, the event information and the road-based speed
limit information may be linked to map information or may be
updated.
[0377] In addition, the position information related to the event
information may be divided into lane units.
[0378] By using such information, the eHorizon (external server)
may provide information necessary for the autonomous driving system
and the infotainment system to each vehicle, based on a
high-definition map capable of determining a road situation (or
road information) in units of lanes of the road.
[0379] In other words, the eHorizon (external server) may provide
an absolute highly-detailed map using an absolute coordinate of
road-related information (for example, event information, location
information of the vehicle 100, etc.) based on a detailed map.
[0380] The road-related information provided by the eHorizon may be
information corresponding to a predetermined region (predetermined
space) with respect to the vehicle 100.
[0381] In some implementations, the path providing device may
acquire position information related to another vehicle through
communication with the another vehicle. Communication with the
another vehicle may be performed through V2X (Vehicle to
everything) communication, and data transmitted/received to/from
the another vehicle through the V2X communication may be data in a
format defined by a Local Dynamic Map (LDM) standard.
[0382] The LDM denotes a conceptual data storage located in a
vehicle control unit (or ITS station) including information related
to a safe and normal operation of an application (or application
program) provided in a vehicle (or an intelligent transport system
(ITS)). The LDM may, for example, comply with EN standards.
[0383] The LDM differs from the foregoing ADAS MAP in the data
format and transmission method. For example, the ADAS MAP may
correspond to a high-definition map having absolute coordinates
received from eHorizon (external server), and the LDM may denote an
high-definition map having relative coordinates based on data
transmitted and received through V2X communication.
[0384] The LDM data (or LDM information) denotes data mutually
transmitted and received through V2X communication (vehicle to
everything) (for example, V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) communication,
V2I (Vehicle to Infra) communication, or V2P (Vehicle to
Pedestrian) communication).
[0385] The LDM may be implemented, for example, by a storage for
storing data transmitted and received through V2X communication,
and the LDM may be formed (stored) in a vehicle control device
provided in each vehicle.
[0386] The LDM data may denote data exchanged between a vehicle and
a vehicle (infrastructure, pedestrian) or the like, for an example.
The LDM data may include a Basic Safety Message (BSM), a
Cooperative Awareness Message (CAM), and a Decentralized
Environmental Notification message (DENM), and the like, for
example.
[0387] The LDM data may be referred to as a V2X message or an LDM
message, for example.
[0388] The vehicle control device may efficiently manage LDM data
(or V2X messages) transmitted and received between vehicles using
the LDM.
[0389] Based on LDM data received via V2X communication, the LDM
may store, distribute to another vehicle, and continuously update
all relevant information (for example, a location, a speed, a
traffic light status, weather information, a road surface
condition, and the like of the vehicle (another vehicle)) related
to a traffic situation around a place where the vehicle is
currently located (or a road situation for an area within a
predetermined distance from a place where the vehicle is currently
located).
[0390] For example, a V2X application provided in the path
providing device 800 registers in the LDM, and receives a specific
message such as all the DENMs in addition to a warning about a
failed vehicle. Then, the LDM may automatically assign the received
information to the V2X application, and the V2X application may
control the vehicle based on the information assigned from the
LDM.
[0391] As described above, the vehicle may control the vehicle
using the LDM formed by the LDM data collected through V2X
communication.
[0392] The LDM associated with the present disclosure may provide
road-related information to the vehicle control device. The
road-related information provided by the LDM provides only a
relative distance and a relative speed with respect to another
vehicle (or an event generation point), other than map information
having absolute coordinates.
[0393] In other words, the vehicle may perform autonomous driving
using an ADAS MAP (absolute coordinates HD map) according to the
ADASIS standard provided by eHorizon, but the map may be used only
to determine a road condition in a surrounding area of the
vehicle.
[0394] In addition, the vehicle may perform autonomous driving
using an LDM (relative coordinates HD map) formed by LDM data
received through V2X communication, but there is a limitation in
that accuracy is inferior due to insufficient absolute position
information.
[0395] The path providing device included in the vehicle may
generate a fused definition map using the ADAS MAP received from
the eHorizon and the LDM data received through the V2X
communication, and control (autonomously drive) the vehicle in an
optimized manner using the fused definition map.
[0396] FIG. 11A illustrates an example of a data format of LDM data
(or LDM) transmitted and received between vehicles via V2X
communication, and FIG. 11B illustrates an example of a data format
of an ADAS MAP received from an external server (eHorizon).
[0397] Referring to FIG. 11A, the LDM data (or LDM) 1050 may be
formed to have four layers.
[0398] The LDM data 1050 may include a first layer 1052, a second
layer 1054, a third layer 1056 and a fourth layer 1058.
[0399] The first layer 1052 may include static information, for
example, map information, among road-related information.
[0400] The second layer 1054 may include landmark information (for
example, specific place information specified by a maker among a
plurality of place information included in the map information)
among information associated with road. The landmark information
may include location information, name information, size
information, and the like.
[0401] The third layer 1056 may include traffic situation related
information (for example, traffic light information, construction
information, accident information, etc.) among information
associated with roads. The construction information and the
accident information may include position information.
[0402] The fourth layer 1058 may include dynamic information (for
example, object information, pedestrian information, other vehicle
information, etc.) among the road-related information. The object
information, pedestrian information, and other vehicle information
may include location information.
[0403] In other words, the LDM data 1050 may include information
sensed through a sensing unit of another vehicle or information
sensed through a sensing unit of the vehicle, and may include
road-related information that is transformed in real time as it
goes from the first layer to the fourth layer.
[0404] Referring to FIG. 11B, the ADAS MAP may be formed to have
four layers similar to the LDM data.
[0405] The ADAS MAP 1060 may denote data received from eHorizon and
formed to conform to the ADASIS specification.
[0406] The ADAS MAP 1060 may include a first layer 1062 to a fourth
layer 1068.
[0407] The first layer 1062 may include topology information. The
topology information, for example, is information that explicitly
defines a spatial relationship, and may indicate map
information.
[0408] The second layer 1064 may include landmark information (for
example, specific place information specified by a maker among a
plurality of place information included in the map information)
among information associated with the road. The landmark
information may include location information, name information,
size information, and the like.
[0409] The third layer 1066 may include highly detailed map
information. The highly detailed MAP information may be referred to
as an HD-MAP, and road-related information (for example, traffic
light information, construction information, accident information)
may be recorded in the lane unit. The construction information and
the accident information may include location information.
[0410] The fourth layer 1068 may include dynamic information (for
example, object information, pedestrian information, other vehicle
information, etc.). The object information, pedestrian information,
and other vehicle information may include location information.
[0411] In other words, the ADAS MAP 1060 may include road-related
information that is transformed in real time as it goes from the
first layer to the fourth layer, similarly to the LDM data
1050.
[0412] The processor 830 may autonomously drive the vehicle
100.
[0413] For example, the processor 830 may autonomously drive the
vehicle 100 based on vehicle driving information sensed through
various electric components provided in the vehicle 100 and
information received through the communication unit 810.
[0414] Specifically, the processor 830 may control the
communication unit 810 to acquire the position information of the
vehicle. For example, the processor 830 may acquire the position
information (location coordinates) of the vehicle 100 through the
location information unit 420 of the communication unit 810.
[0415] Furthermore, the processor 830 may control the first
communication module 812 of the communication unit 810 to receive
map information from an external server. Here, the first
communication module 812 may receive ADAS MAP from the external
server (eHorizon). The map information may be included in the ADAS
MAP.
[0416] In addition, the processor 830 may control the second
communication module 814 of the communication unit 810 to receive
position information of another vehicle from the another vehicle.
Here, the second communication module 814 may receive LDM data from
the another vehicle. The position information of the another
vehicle may be included in the LDM data.
[0417] The another vehicle denotes a vehicle existing within a
predetermined distance from the vehicle, and the predetermined
distance may be a communication-available distance of the
communication unit 810 or a distance set by a user.
[0418] The processor 830 may control the communication unit to
receive the map information from the external server and the
position information of the another vehicle from the another
vehicle.
[0419] Furthermore, the processor 830 may fuse the acquired
position information of the vehicle and the received position
information of the another vehicle into the received map
information, and control the vehicle 100 based on at least one of
the fused map information and vehicle-related information sensed
through the sensing unit 840.
[0420] Here, the map information received from the external server
may denote highly detailed map information (HD-MAP) included in the
ADAS MAP. The highly detailed map information may be recorded with
road-related information in the lane unit.
[0421] The processor 830 may fuse the position information of the
vehicle 100 and the position information of the another vehicle
into the map information in the lane unit. In addition, the
processor 830 may fuse the road-related information received from
the external server and the road-related information received from
the another vehicle into the map information in the lane unit.
[0422] The processor 830 may generate ADAS MAP for the control of
the vehicle using the ADAS MAP received from the external server
and the vehicle-related information received through the sensing
unit 840.
[0423] Specifically, the processor 830 may apply the
vehicle-related information sensed within a predetermined range
through the sensing unit 840 to the map information received from
the external server.
[0424] Here, the predetermined range may be an available distance
which may be sensed by an electric component provided in the
vehicle 100 or may be a distance set by a user.
[0425] The processor 830 may control the vehicle by applying the
vehicle-related information sensed within the predetermined range
through the sensing unit to the map information and then
additionally fusing the location (or position) information of the
another vehicle thereto. In other words, when the vehicle-related
information sensed within the predetermined range through the
sensing unit is applied to the map information, the processor 830
may use only the information within the predetermined range from
the vehicle, and thus a range capable of controlling the vehicle
may be local.
[0426] However, the position information of the another vehicle
received through the V2X module may be received from the another
vehicle existing in a space out of the predetermined range. It may
be because the communication-available distance of the V2X module
communicating with the another vehicle through the V2X module is
farther than a predetermined range of the sensing unit 840.
[0427] As a result, the processor 830 may fuse the location
information of the another vehicle included in the LDM data
received through the second communication module 814 into the map
information on which the vehicle-related information has been
sensed, so as to acquire the location information of the another
vehicle existing in a broader range and more effectively control
the vehicle using the acquired information.
[0428] For example, it is assumed that a plurality of other
vehicles is crowded ahead in a lane in which the vehicle exists,
and it is also assumed that the sensing unit may sense only
location information related to an immediately preceding
vehicle.
[0429] In this case, when only vehicle-related information sensed
within a predetermined range on map information is used, the
processor 830 may generate a control command for controlling the
vehicle such that the vehicle overtakes the preceding vehicle.
[0430] However, a plurality of other vehicles may actually exist
ahead, which may make the vehicle difficult to overtake other
vehicles.
[0431] At this time, the present disclosure may acquire the
location information of another vehicle received through the V2X
module. At this time, the received location information of the
another vehicle may include location information of not only a
vehicle immediately in front of the vehicle 100 but also a
plurality of other vehicles in front of the preceding vehicle.
[0432] The processor 830 may additionally fuse the location
information related to the plurality of other vehicles acquired
through the V2X module into map information to which the
vehicle-related information is applied, so as to determine a
situation where it is inappropriate to overtake the preceding
vehicle.
[0433] With such configuration, the present disclosure may overcome
the related art technical limitation that only vehicle-related
information acquired through the sensing unit 840 is merely fused
to high-definition map information and thus autonomous driving is
enabled only within a predetermined range. In other words, the
present disclosure may achieve more accurate and stable vehicle
control by additionally fusing information related to other
vehicles (e.g., speeds, locations of other vehicles), which have
been received from the other vehicles located at a farther distance
than the predetermined range through the V2X module, as well as
vehicle-related information sensed through the sensing unit, into
map information.
[0434] Vehicle control described herein may include at least one of
autonomously driving the vehicle 100 and outputting a warning
message associated with the driving of the vehicle.
[0435] Hereinafter, description will be given in more detail of a
method in which a processor controls a vehicle using LDM data
received through a V2X module, ADAS MAP received from an external
server (eHorizon), and vehicle-related information sensed through a
sensing unit provided in the vehicle, with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0436] FIGS. 12A and 12B are views illustrating examples in which a
communication device receives high-definition map data.
[0437] The server may divide HD map data into tile units and
provide them to the path providing device 800. The processor 830
may receive HD map data in the tile units from the server or
another vehicle through the communication unit 810. Hereinafter, HD
map data received in tile units is referred to as `HD map
tile`.
[0438] The HD map data is divided into tiles having a predetermined
shape, and each tile corresponds to a different portion of the map.
When connecting all the tiles, the full HD map data is acquired.
Since the HD map data has a high capacity, the vehicle 100 should
be provided with a high-capacity memory in order to download and
use the full HD map data. As communication technologies are
developed, it is more efficient to download, use, and delete HD map
data in tile units, rather than to provide the high-capacity memory
in the vehicle 100.
[0439] In the present disclosure, for the convenience of
description, a case in which the predetermined shape is rectangular
is described as an example, but the predetermined shape may be
modified to various polygonal shapes.
[0440] The processor 830 may store the downloaded HD map tile in
the memory 140. The processor 830 may delete the stored HD map
tile. For example, the processor 830 may delete the HD map tile
when the vehicle 100 leaves an area corresponding to the HD map
tile. For example, the processor 830 may delete the HD map tile
when a preset time elapses after storage.
[0441] As illustrated in FIG. 12A, when there is no preset
destination, the processor 830 may receive a first HD map tile 1251
including a location (position) 1250 of the vehicle 100. The server
receives data of the location 1250 of the vehicle 100 from the
vehicle 100, and transmits the first HD map tile 1251 including the
location 1250 of the vehicle 100 to the vehicle 100. In addition,
the processor 830 may receive HD map tiles 1252, 1253, 1254, and
1255 around the first HD map tile 1251. For example, the processor
830 may receive the HD map tiles 1252, 1253, 1254, and 1255 that
are adjacent to top, bottom, left, and right sides of the first HD
map tile 1251, respectively. In this case, the processor 830 may
receive a total of five HD map tiles. For example, the processor
830 may further receive HD map tiles located in a diagonal
direction, together with the HD map tiles 1252, 1253, 1254, and
1255 adjacent to the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the
first HD map tile 1251. In this case, the processor 830 may receive
a total of nine HD map tiles.
[0442] As illustrated in FIG. 12B, when there is a preset
destination, the processor 830 may receive tiles associated with a
path from the location 1250 of the vehicle 100 to the destination.
The processor 830 may receive a plurality of tiles to cover the
path.
[0443] The processor 830 may receive all the tiles covering the
path at one time.
[0444] Alternatively, the processor 830 may receive the entire
tiles in a dividing manner while the vehicle 100 travels along the
path. The processor 830 may receive only at least some of the
entire tiles based on the location of the vehicle 100 while the
vehicle 100 travels along the path. Thereafter, the processor 830
may continuously receive tiles during the travel of the vehicle 100
and delete the previously received tiles.
[0445] The processor 830 may generate electronic horizon data based
on the HD map data.
[0446] The vehicle 100 may travel in a state where a final
destination is set. The final destination may be set based on a
user input received via the user interface apparatus 200 or the
communication apparatus 400. In some implementations, the final
destination may be set by the driving system 710.
[0447] In the state where the final destination is set, the vehicle
100 may be located within a preset distance from a first point
during driving. When the vehicle 100 is located within the preset
distance from the first point, the processor 830 may generate
electronic horizon data having the first point as a start point and
a second point as an end point. The first point and the second
point may be points on the path heading to the final destination.
The first point may be described as a point where the vehicle 100
is located or will be located in the near future. The second point
may be described as the horizon described above.
[0448] The processor 830 may receive an HD map of an area including
a section from the first point to the second point. For example,
the processor 830 may request an HD map for an area within a
predetermined radial distance from the section between the first
point and the second point and receive the requested HD map.
[0449] The processor 830 may generate electronic horizon data for
the area including the section from the first point to the second
point, based on the HD map. The processor 830 may generate horizon
map data for the area including the section from the first point to
the second point. The processor 830 may generate horizon path data
for the area including the section from the first point to the
second point. The processor 830 may generate a main path for the
area including the section from the first point to the second
point. The processor 830 may generate data of a sub path for the
area including the section from the first point to the second
point.
[0450] When the vehicle 100 is located within a preset distance
from the second point, the processor 830 may generate electronic
horizon data having the second point as a start point and a third
point as an end point. The second point and the third point may be
points on the path heading to the final destination. The second
point may be described as a point where the vehicle 100 is located
or will be located in the near future. The third point may be
described as the horizon described above. In some examples, the
electronic horizon data having the second point as the start point
and the third point as the end point may be geographically
connected to the electronic horizon data having the first point as
the start point and the second point as the end point.
[0451] The operation of generating the electronic horizon data
using the second point as the start point and the third point as
the end point may be performed by correspondingly applying the
operation of generating the electronic horizon data having the
first point as the start point and the second point as the end
point.
[0452] In some implementations, the vehicle 100 may travel even
when the final destination is not set.
[0453] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a path
providing method of the path providing device of FIG. 9.
[0454] The processor 830 receives a high-definition (HD) map from
an external server. In detail, the processor 830 may receive map
information (HD map) having a plurality of layers from a server
(external server or cloud server) (S1310).
[0455] The external server is a device capable of performing
communication through the first communication module 812 and is an
example of the telematics communication device 910. The
high-definition map is provided with a plurality of layers. The HD
map is ADAS MAP and may include at least one of the four layers
described above with reference to FIG. 11B.
[0456] The map information may include the horizon map data
described above. The horizon map data may mean ADAS MAP that
satisfies the ADASIS standard described in FIG. 11B and is provided
with a plurality of layers.
[0457] In addition, the processor 830 of the path providing device
may receive sensing information from one or more sensors provided
in the vehicle (S1320). The sensing information may mean
information sensed (or information processed after being sensed) by
each sensor. The sensing information may include various
information according to types of data that may be sensed by the
sensors.
[0458] The processor 830 may specify (determine) one lane in which
the vehicle 100 is located on a road having a plurality of lanes
based on an image that has been received from an image sensor among
the sensing information (S1330). Here, the lane refers to a lane in
which the vehicle 100 having the path providing device 800 is
currently traveling.
[0459] The processor 830 may determine a lane in which the vehicle
100 having the path providing device 800 is currently moving by
using (analyzing) an image received from an image sensor (or
camera) among the sensors.
[0460] In addition, the processor 830 may estimate an optimal path
(or route), in which the vehicle 100 is expected or planned to be
driven based on the specified lane, in lane units using map
information (S1340). Here, the optimal path may refer to the
horizon pass data or main path, as described above. The present
disclosure is not limited to this, and the optimal path may further
include a sub path. Here, the optimal path may be referred to as a
Most Preferred Path or Most Probable Path, and may be abbreviated
as MPP.
[0461] That is, the processor 830 may predict or plan an optimal
path, in which the vehicle 100 may travel to a destination, based
on a specific lane, in which the vehicle 100 is currently driving,
in lane units using map information.
[0462] The processor 830 may generate autonomous driving visibility
information in which sensing information is fused with the optimal
path, and transmit the generated information to a server and at
least one of electric components (or electric parts) provided in
the vehicle (S1350).
[0463] Here, the autonomous driving visibility information may mean
the eHorizon information (or eHorizon data) described above. The
autonomous driving visibility information (eHorizon information) is
information (data, or environment) which the vehicle 100 uses for
performing autonomous driving in lane units, namely, as illustrated
in FIG. 10, may refer to autonomous driving environment data in
which every information (map information, vehicles, objects, moving
objects, environment, weather, etc.) within a predetermined range
based on a road including an optimal path in which the vehicle 100
is to move or based on the optimal path is fused together. The
autonomous driving environment data may refer to data (or overall
data environment) based on which the processor 830 of the vehicle
100 autonomously drives the vehicle 100 or calculates an optimal
path of the vehicle 100.
[0464] In some implementations, the autonomous driving visibility
information may also mean information for guiding a driving path in
lane units. This is information in which at least one of sensing
information and dynamic information is fused with the optimal path,
and may be information for guiding a path along which the vehicle
is to finally move in lane units.
[0465] When autonomous driving visibility information refers to
information for guiding a driving path in lane units, the processor
830 may generate different autonomous driving visibility
information depending on whether or not a destination has been set
in the vehicle 100. For example, when a destination has been set in
the vehicle 100, the processor 830 may generate autonomous driving
visibility information for guiding a driving path (travel path) to
the destination in the lane units.
[0466] As another example, when a destination has not been set in
the vehicle 100, the processor 830 may calculate a main path (Most
Preferred Path (MPP)) along which the vehicle 100 is most likely to
travel, and generate autonomous driving visibility information for
guiding the main path (MPP) in the lane units. In this case, the
autonomous driving visibility information may further include sub
path information related to a sub path, which is branched from the
main path (MPP) and along which the vehicle 100 is likely to travel
with a higher probability than a predetermined reference.
[0467] The autonomous driving visibility information may provide a
driving path up to a destination for each lane drawn on a road,
thereby providing more precise and detailed path information. The
autonomous driving visibility information may be path information
that complies with the standard of ADASIS v3.
[0468] The processor 830 may fuse dynamic information guiding a
movable object located on the optimal path with the autonomous
driving visibility information, and update the optimal path based
on the dynamic information (S1360). The dynamic information may be
included in the map information received from the server and may be
information included in any one (e.g., fourth layer 1068) of a
plurality of layers.
[0469] The foregoing description is summarized as follows.
[0470] The processor 830 may generate autonomous driving visibility
information for guiding a road located ahead of the vehicle in lane
units using the HD map.
[0471] The processor 830 receives sensing information from one or
more sensors provided in the vehicle 100 through the interface unit
820. The sensing information may be vehicle driving
information.
[0472] The processor 830 may specify one lane in which the vehicle
100 is located on a road having a plurality of lanes based on an
image, which has been received from an image sensor, among the
sensing information. For example, when the vehicle 100 is moving in
a first lane on an eight-lane road, the processor 830 may specify
(determine) the first lane as a lane in which the vehicle 100 is
located, based on the image received from the image sensor.
[0473] The processor 830 may estimate an optimal path, in which the
vehicle 100 is expected or planned to move based on the specified
lane, in lane units using the map information.
[0474] Here, the optimal path may be referred to as a Most
Preferred Path or Most Probable Path, and may be abbreviated as
MPP.
[0475] The vehicle 100 may autonomously travel along the optimal
path. When the vehicle is traveling manually, the vehicle 100 may
provide navigation information to guide the optimal path to a
driver.
[0476] The processor 830 may generate autonomous driving visibility
information, in which the sensing information has been fused with
the optimal path. The autonomous driving visibility information may
be referred to as `eHorizon` or `electronic horizon` or `electronic
horizon data`.
[0477] The processor 830 may use the autonomous driving visibility
information differently depending on whether a destination has been
set in the vehicle 100.
[0478] For example, when a destination has been set in the vehicle
100, the processor 830 may generate an optimal path for guiding a
driving path up to the destination in lane units, by using the
autonomous driving visibility information.
[0479] As another example, when a destination has not been set in
the vehicle 100, the processor 830 may calculate a main path, along
which the vehicle 100 is most likely to travel, in lane units using
the autonomous driving visibility information. In this case, the
autonomous driving visibility information may further include sub
path information related to a sub path, which is branched from the
main path (MPP) and along which the vehicle 100 is likely to travel
with a higher probability than a predetermined reference.
[0480] The autonomous driving visibility information may provide a
driving path up to a destination for each lane drawn on a road,
thereby providing more precise and detailed path information. The
path information may be path information that complies with the
standard of ADASIS v3.
[0481] The autonomous driving visibility information may be
provided by subdividing a path, along which the vehicle should
travel or may travel, in the lane units. The autonomous driving
visibility information may include information for guiding a
driving path to a destination in lane units. When the autonomous
driving visibility information is displayed on a display mounted in
the vehicle 100, a guide line for guiding a lane, in which the
vehicle 100 may travel, on a map, and information within a
predetermined range based on the vehicle 100 (e.g., roads,
Landmarks, other vehicles, surrounding objects, weather
information, etc.) may be displayed. In addition, a graphic object
indicating the position or location of the vehicle 100 may be
output on at least one lane in which the vehicle 100 is located
among a plurality of lanes included in a map.
[0482] The autonomous driving visibility information may be fused
with dynamic information for guiding a movable object located on
the optimal path. The dynamic information may be received by the
processor 830 through the communication unit 810 and/or the
interface unit 820, and the processor 830 may update the optimal
path based on the dynamic information. As the optimal path is
updated, the autonomous driving visibility information is also
updated.
[0483] The dynamic information may include dynamic data.
[0484] The processor 830 may provide the autonomous driving
visibility information to at least one electric component provided
in the vehicle. In addition, the processor 830 may also provide the
autonomous driving visibility information to various applications
installed in the systems of the vehicle 100.
[0485] The electric component refers to any device mounted on the
vehicle 100 and capable of performing communication, and may
include the components 120 to 700 described above with reference to
FIG. 7. For example, the object detecting apparatus 300 such as a
radar or a LiDAR, the navigation system 770, the vehicle operating
apparatus 600, and the like may be included in the electric
components.
[0486] In addition, the electric component may further include an
application that may be executed by the processor 830 or a module
that executes the application.
[0487] The electric component may perform its own function based on
the autonomous driving visibility information.
[0488] The autonomous driving visibility information may include a
lane-based path and the position or location of the vehicle 100,
and may include dynamic information including at least one object
to be sensed by the electric component. The electric component may
reallocate resources to sense an object corresponding to the
dynamic information, determine whether the dynamic information
matches sensing information sensed by the electric component
itself, or change a setting value for generating sensing
information.
[0489] The autonomous driving visibility information may include a
plurality of layers, and the processor 830 may selectively transmit
at least one of the layers according to an electric component that
receives the autonomous driving visibility information.
[0490] In detail, the processor 830 may select at least one of the
plurality of layers included in the autonomous driving visibility
information, based on at least one of a function that is being
executed by the electric component and a function that is expected
to be executed by the electric component. The processor 830 may
transmit the selected layer to the electric component, and the
unselected layers may not be transmitted to the electric
component.
[0491] The processor 830 may receive external information generated
by an external device, which is located within a predetermined
range with respect to the vehicle, from the external device.
[0492] The predetermined range refers to a distance at which the
second communication module 814 may perform communication, and may
vary according to performance of the second communication module
814. When the second communication module 814 performs V2X
communication, a V2X communication-available range may be defined
as the predetermined range.
[0493] Furthermore, the predetermined range may vary according to
an absolute speed of the vehicle 100 and/or a relative speed with
the external device.
[0494] The processor 830 may determine the predetermined range
based on the absolute speed of the vehicle 100 and/or the relative
speed with the external device, and permit the communication with
external devices located within the determined predetermined
range.
[0495] Specifically, based on the absolute speed of the vehicle 100
and/or the relative speed with the external device, external
devices that may perform communication through the second
communication module 914 may be classified into a first group or a
second group. External information received from an external device
included in the first group is used to generate dynamic
information, which will be described below, but external
information received from an external device included in the second
group is not used to generate the dynamic information. Even when
external information is received from the external device included
in the second group, the processor 830 ignores the external
information.
[0496] The processor 830 may generate dynamic information related
to an object to be sensed by at least one electric component
provided in the vehicle based on the external information, and
match the dynamic information with the autonomous driving
visibility information.
[0497] For example, the dynamic information may correspond to the
fourth layer described above with reference to FIGS. 11A and
11B.
[0498] As described above with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the
path providing device 800 may receive the ADAS MAP and/or the LDM
data. Specifically, the path providing device 800 may receive the
ADAS MAP from the telematics communication device 910 through the
first communication module 812, and the LDM data from the V2X
communication device 930 through the second communication module
814.
[0499] The ADAS MAP and the LDM data may be provided with a
plurality of layers each having the same format. The processor 830
may select at least one layer from the ADAS MAP, select at least
one layer from the LDM data, and generate the autonomous driving
visibility information including the selected layers.
[0500] For example, after selecting first to third layers from the
ADAS MAP and selecting a fourth layer from the LDM data, one
autonomous driving visibility information may be generated by
aligning those four layers into one. In this case, the processor
830 may transmit a refusal message for refusing the transmission of
the fourth layer to the telematics communication device 910. This
is because receiving partial information excluding the fourth layer
uses less resources of the first communication module 812 than
receiving all information including the fourth layer. By aligning
part of the ADAS MAP with part of the LDM data, complementary
information may be utilized.
[0501] In some examples, after selecting the first to fourth layers
of the ADAS MAP and selecting the fourth layer of the LDM data, one
autonomous driving visibility information may be generated by
aligning those five layers into one. In this case, priority may be
given to the fourth layer of the LDM data. If the fourth layer of
the ADMS MAP includes information which is inconsistent with the
fourth layer of the LDM data, the processor 830 may delete the
inconsistent information or correct the inconsistent information
based on the LDM data.
[0502] The dynamic information may be object information for
guiding a predetermined object. For example, the dynamic
information may include at least one of position coordinates for
guiding the position of the predetermined object, and information
guiding a shape, size, and kind of the predetermined object.
[0503] The predetermined object may refer to an object that
disturbs driving in a corresponding lane among objects that may be
driven on a road.
[0504] For example, the predetermined object may include a bus
stopped at a bus stop, a taxi stopped at a taxi stand or a truck
from which articles are being put down.
[0505] As another example, the predetermined object may include a
garbage truck that travels at a predetermined speed or slower or a
large-sized vehicle (e.g., a truck or a container truck, etc.)
[0506] that is determined to obstruct a driver's vision.
[0507] As another example, the predetermined object may include an
object notifying an accident, road damage or repair.
[0508] As described above, the predetermined object may include all
kinds of objects blocking a lane so that driving of the vehicle 100
is impossible or interrupted. The predetermined object may
correspond to an icy road, a pedestrian, another vehicle, a
construction sign, a traffic signal such as a traffic light, or the
like that the vehicle 100 should avoid, and may be received by the
path providing device 800 as the external information.
[0509] The processor 830 may determine whether or not the
predetermined object guided by the external information is located
within a reference range based on the driving path of the vehicle
100.
[0510] Whether or not the predetermined object is located within
the reference range may vary depending on a lane in which the
vehicle 100 is traveling and a position where the predetermined
object is located.
[0511] For example, external information for guiding a sign
indicating the construction on a third lane 1 km ahead of the
vehicle while the vehicle is traveling in a first lane may be
received. If the reference range is set to 1 m based on the vehicle
100, the sign is located outside the reference range. This is
because the third lane is located outside the reference range of 1
m based on the vehicle 100 if the vehicle 100 is continuously
traveling in the first lane. In some implementations, if the
reference range is set to 10 m based on the vehicle 100, the sign
is located within the reference range.
[0512] The processor 830 may generate the dynamic information based
on the external information when the predetermined object is
located within the reference range, but may not generate the
dynamic information when the predetermined object is located
outside the reference range. That is, the dynamic information may
be generated only when the predetermined object guided by the
external information is located on the driving path of the vehicle
100 or is within a reference range that may affect the driving path
of the vehicle 100.
[0513] The path providing device may generate the autonomous
driving visibility information by integrating information received
through the first communication module and information received
through the second communication module into one, which may result
in generating and providing optimal autonomous driving visibility
information capable of complementing different types of information
provided through such different communication modules. This is
because information received through the first communication module
cannot reflect information in real time but such limitation may be
complemented by information received through the second
communication module.
[0514] Furthermore, when there is information received through the
second communication module, the processor 830 controls the first
communication module so as not to receive information corresponding
to the received information, so that the bandwidth of the first
communication module may be used less than that used in the related
art. That is, the resource usage of the first communication module
may be minimized.
[0515] Hereinafter, a path providing device which may include at
least one of those components described above, and a method of
controlling the same will be described in more detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0516] FIG. 14 is a conceptual view illustrating an example of a
memory, and FIGS. 15A and 15B are conceptual views illustrating
example methods for storing data received in a path providing
device into one or more memory devices.
[0517] In some implementations, a path providing device may include
a memory 882, 885 for storing information used to estimate or
update an optimal path. For example, the memory 882, 885 may be
non-transitory memory devices configured to store program
instructions and data.
[0518] The information used to estimate or update the optimal path
may include at least one of map information, sensing information,
dynamic information, and autonomous driving visibility information,
and may also include the optimal path itself.
[0519] The memory may include a plurality of memories 882 and 885
for storing information used to estimate or update the optimal path
based on types of information in different storage spaces.
[0520] Here, the different storage spaces may indicate different
memories.
[0521] As described above, the path providing device 800 may
include the communication unit 810, but as illustrated in FIG. 14,
the communication unit 810 may be provided outside the path
providing device 800 so as to perform communication with the path
providing device 800 in a wired manner (e.g., Controller Area
Network (CAN) communication).
[0522] When the communication unit 810 exists outside the path
providing device, the communication unit 810 may also be the
communication apparatus 400 existing in the vehicle.
[0523] The path providing device 800 may include a network adapter
880 that receives information (for example, map information or
dynamic information) transmitted from a server 1400 through the
communication unit 810.
[0524] The network adapter 880 may serve to convert a signal
corresponding to the information received by the communication unit
810 into a signal that may be processed by the path providing
device 800.
[0525] The network adapter 880 may be connected to a data bus 881
serving as a path for transmitting information to various modules
included in the path providing device 800.
[0526] The data bus 881 may transmit the information converted by
the network adapter 880 to at least one of the various components
(e.g., the processor 830, the first memory 883, the second memory
885, etc.) included in the path providing device 800 and the
electric components provided in the vehicle.
[0527] That is, the data bus 881 may be a path for transmitting a
signal of information (or data) received by the network adapter 880
to a module (or processing device) included in the path providing
device 800.
[0528] In this case, the data bus 881 may transmit data (or
information) through CAN communication, or transmit such data (or
information) to at least one of the components provided in the path
providing device 800 and the electric components provided in the
vehicle through a circuit provided on a printed circuit board.
[0529] The processor 830 connected to the data bus 881 may control
or command the components included in the path providing device 800
or receive information (or data) from the components through the
connected data bus 881.
[0530] Referring back to FIG. 14, the memory included in the path
providing device 800 may include a system memory 882 and an
internal storage (or flash memory) 885.
[0531] The system memory 882 may include a Random Access Memory
(RAM) 883 and a Read Only Memory (ROM) 884.
[0532] The RAM 883 is a memory capable of loading memorized
information or memorizing other information. The RAM 883 may be
used as a main memory of a computer, or may be used to temporarily
load an application program, temporarily store data, and the like.
The RAM 883 is a volatile memory that loses recorded information
when power is cut off. The RAM 883 is configured to temporarily
store data while power is supplied. In this specification, the RAM
883 is referred to as a first memory 883.
[0533] The ROM 884 may refer to a memory that may read data at a
high speed but cannot write (record) it again. For example, the ROM
884 means a read-only memory. The ROM is a non-volatile memory
which does not lose information even when power is cut off.
However, since the ROM may read data but cannot change data, the
ROM is not included as a memory controlled by the path providing
device.
[0534] The internal storage (flash memory) 885 refers to a
non-volatile memory in which stored information is not erased even
when power is cut off. The internal storage 885 may be included in
the path providing device 800, and information stored in the
internal storage 885 may be maintained without disappearing even by
low power consumption or even when power is off.
[0535] The internal storage 885 may have not only the advantage of
the ROM that may retain stored information as it is even when power
supply is stopped, but also the advantage of the RAM that allows
free input and output of information. In addition, the internal
storage 885 is advantageous in view of fast speed and low power
consumption. The internal storage 885 is configured to store data
even power supply is stopped, and is referred to as a second memory
885 in this specification. For example, the second memory 885 may
be a non-volatile memory device configured to retain stored
information while power is turned off and allow a user to carry the
second memory 885 from one device to another without providing
power to the second memory 885.
[0536] The processor 830 of the path providing device 800 may
further store information in an external storage 886 provided
outside the path providing device 800. The external storage 886 may
refer to an SDD/HDD having a large storage capacity.
[0537] The external storage 886 may be provided within the vehicle
although it is located outside the path providing device 800, so as
to perform wired communication (or CAN communication). In addition,
the external storage 886 may be a memory 140 provided in the
vehicle. The external storage 886 is referred to as an external
storage in this specification.
[0538] The memories 882 and 885 may refer to the storage part 832
of the processor 830 and the calculation part 834 of the processor
830 described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0539] For example, the system memory 882 may refer to the
calculation part 834 of the processor 830, and the internal storage
885 may refer to the storage part 832 of the processor 830.
[0540] In summary, the path providing device 800 may include the
memory. The memory may include the first memory (RAM) 883 that
temporarily stores data while power is supplied, and the second
memory (internal storage, flash memory) 885 that stores data even
though power supply is stopped.
[0541] The first memory 883 and the second memory 885 may be
connected to the data bus 881 that is configured to transmit
information received through the communication unit 810 to the
memory.
[0542] In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 14, each of the first
memory 883 and the second memory 885 may be connected to the data
bus 881 through an interface 887.
[0543] The interface 887 may be a path connecting the data bus 881
and the components (for example, the first memory and the second
memory) included in the path providing device 800, and may be a
wire supporting CAN communication or a circuit provided on a
printed circuit board.
[0544] In addition, the path providing device 800 may further
include an input device interface 888 for transmitting information
transmitted through the data bus 881 to an electric component 889
provided in the vehicle. The input device interface 888 may be the
interface unit 820 described above.
[0545] The second memory 885, which is a flash memory, may have a
relatively high processing speed and have an appropriate
capacity.
[0546] For example, the second memory 885 may be configured such
that a processing speed is a first speed and a storage capacity is
a first capacity.
[0547] In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the data bus 881
may be connected through the interface 887 to the external storage
886 (external storage, SSD/HDD) which is configured such that the
processing speed is a second speed slower than the first speed and
a storage capacity is a second capacity larger than the first
capacity.
[0548] The external storage (SDD/HDD) may be configured to have a
processing speed slower than that of the second memory 885 (flash
memory) included in the path providing device but have a storage
capacity larger than that of the second memory 885.
[0549] In some implementations, data having a large capacity may be
stored in the external storage, and data having a small capacity
and for fast processing may be stored in the first or second
memory.
[0550] The second memory 885 may be divided into a plurality of
storage spaces to store different types of data. The plurality of
storage spaces may store a plurality of layers forming map
information in a dividing manner.
[0551] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the second memory
885 may be partitioned (or divided) into a plurality of storage
spaces. This means that an internal storage space of the second
memory 885 is divided into several storage spaces, and a concept of
a component or a partition may be introduced.
[0552] In detail, information included in a first layer of the
plurality of layers may be stored in a first storage space (e.g.,
885a) among the plurality of storage spaces 885a, 885b, and
885c.
[0553] In addition, information included in a second layer
different from the first layer among the plurality of layers may be
stored in a second storage space (e.g., 885b) different from the
first storage space among the plurality of storage spaces.
[0554] For example, a first layer (HD map) of a plurality of layers
forming map information may be stored in the first storage space
885a, and a second layer (dynamic information) of the plurality of
layers forming the map information may be stored in the second
storage space 885b. In addition, the first memory 883 and the
second memory 885 may be configured to allow bidirectional data
transmission through the data bus 881.
[0555] That is, the first memory 883 and the second memory 885,
under the control of the processor 830, may not only store
information received from the server 1400 through the communication
unit 810, but also perform bidirectional data transmission of
loading information stored in the second memory 885 to the first
memory 883 or the processor 830 or loading information stored in
the first memory 883 to the processor 830. In addition, the
processor 830 may also not only store data in the first memory 883,
but also transfer information stored in the first memory 883 to the
second memory 885 so that the information is stored in the second
memory 885.
[0556] Hereinafter, description will be given in more detail of a
method of processing information received through the communication
unit 810 (e.g., map information received from the server 1400, or
information received from an external device (e.g., another
vehicle) existing within a predetermined distance from the vehicle)
using the memory in the path providing device, with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
[0557] The processor 830 may temporarily store and then delete map
information received from the server 1400 in the first memory 883
or store the map information in the second memory 885 for a long
time, according to a type of the map information. In addition, in
preparation of a case where communication through the communication
unit 810 is impossible, the processor 830 may store large map
information even in the external storage 886.
[0558] Referring to FIG. 15A, the processor 830 may store map
information received through the communication unit 810 in a
specific area of the first memory 883 (RAM). In this case, when
receiving the map information from the server 1400, the processor
830 may sequentially receive a plurality of partial map
information.
[0559] Here, the plurality of partial map information may refer to
that the map information is divided into the plurality of partial
map information. The plurality of partial map information may refer
to map information generated in tile unit (i.e., map information
tile) described above.
[0560] Each of the plurality of partial map information may include
a plurality of layers, and the plurality of layers may have the
same size (that is, cover the same area).
[0561] That is, the partial map information may refer to map
information having a smaller size than the map information, and as
illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, may refer to map information in
tile unit covering a predetermined area, respectively.
[0562] The processor 830 may sequentially receive the plurality of
partial map information from the server 1400 through the
communication unit 810. In some cases, the processor 830 may
preferentially store the plurality of partial map information
(i.e., map information tiles) sequentially in the first memory
833.
[0563] Subsequently, the processor 830 may allocate a specific area
of the first memory 883 for caching the map information (the
plurality of partial map information) and store the map information
in the allocated specific area. In this case, the caching may refer
to that the processor 830 temporarily stores map information
(partial map information) having a high frequency of use in the
first memory 883 having a fast processing speed in order to use
such data quickly. The processor 830 may perform various operations
related to EHP (e.g., a process of generating/updating an optimal
path or generating/updating autonomous driving visibility
information) using the map information stored in the first memory
883, or generate forward path information (optimal path or MPP) and
store the generated forward path information in the first memory
883.
[0564] In addition, the processor 830 may transmit EHP-related
information (e.g., optimal path or autonomous driving visibility
information) stored in the first memory 883 to an electric
component or application provided in the vehicle through an
external interface, and delete the EHP-related information from the
first memory 883. At this time, the deletion may be sequentially
carried out according to a caching policy.
[0565] In some examples, the path providing device 800 may receive
map information from a plurality of map provider servers (or map
information providers) through the communication unit 810. In this
case, the path providing device may receive a plurality of map
information, and the plurality of map information may be different
map information produced by different map information
providers.
[0566] As the map information providers are different, the
plurality of map information may be different in type, format,
style, accuracy, focused portion (e.g., whether highway map
information is detailed or downtown map information is detailed,
etc.) of information included.
[0567] The processor 830 may receive map information from a
plurality of map provider servers (or a plurality of map
information providers) through the communication unit 810, and the
reception may be selectively carried out.
[0568] As illustrated in FIG. 15B, the processor 830 may
preferentially (primarily) store the received map information in
the first memory 883 (RAM).
[0569] The processor 830 may classify the map information stored in
the first memory 883 into volatile data and storage data according
to an attribute of the map information. The processor 830 may then
determine according to a result of the classification whether to
store the map information stored in the first memory 883
temporarily in the first memory 883 or by moving to the second
memory 885.
[0570] For example, the attribute of the map information may
include whether the map information is an HD map, whether the map
information is dynamic information to be updated, or the like, and
may differ depending on a type of layer included in the map
information among a plurality of layers.
[0571] Afterwards, the processor 830 may classify the received map
information into volatile data and storage data according to the
attribute of the map information stored in the first memory 883.
The processor 830 may then temporarily store the received map
information in the first memory 883 and then delete the temporarily
stored map information or may store the received map information in
the second memory 885, according to a result of the
classification.
[0572] In addition, when a capacity of the received map information
is larger than a preset size, the processor 830 may also store the
received map information in the external storage 886 other than the
second memory 885.
[0573] FIG. 16 is a conceptual view illustrating a memory having a
plurality of storage spaces. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the memory
(the second memory 885) may be divided into a plurality of storage
spaces 885a, 885b, and 885c.
[0574] When the processor 830 receives a plurality of map
information produced by different map information companies (or
servers of map information companies or servers of a plurality of
map providers) through the communication unit 810, the processor
830 may store the plurality of map information in the plurality of
storage spaces 885a, 885b, and 885c in a dividing manner.
Specifically, the processor 830 may store first map information
received from a first map information provider in the first storage
space 885a of the plurality of storage spaces.
[0575] Also, the processor 830 may store second map information
received from a second map information provider different from the
first map information provider in the second storage space 885b
different from the first storage space among the plurality of
storage spaces. As described above, the path providing device 800
may receive map information from a server. Here, the server may
refer to a map information company (or a server used by a map
information company, a map provider, or a server of a map provider)
that produces (or supplies) map information.
[0576] The server may also refer to a server of a mobile
communication company that provides mobile communication network
services, in terms of transmitting map information.
[0577] In this case, a map information company (a map supplier or a
map provider) may transmit map information to a server of a mobile
communication company constructing a mobile communication network,
and the server of the mobile communication company may transfer the
map information to the path providing device 800 through the
communication unit 810.
[0578] When there are a plurality of map providers and one mobile
communication network, each of the plurality of map providers may
transmit map information to a server constructing the one mobile
communication network (a server of a mobile communication
company).
[0579] The server constructing the mobile communication network may
transmit the plurality of map information received from the
plurality of map providers to the communication unit 810. The
structure described above should be understood to include that a
map provider directly provides map information to the communication
unit 810 using a predetermined mobile communication network.
[0580] The processor 830 may receive different types of map
information from different map providers. For example, the
processor 830 may receive first map information including detailed
highway information from a first map provider, and second map
information including city information from a second map
provider.
[0581] Here, receiving the different types of map information may
also include the meaning of selectively receiving a plurality of
layers forming the map information.
[0582] For example, the processor 830 may receive a first layer
including highway information from a first map provider and a
second layer including landmark information from a second map
provider.
[0583] The processor 830 may divide (partition) the storage space
of the second memory 885 into a plurality of storage spaces.
[0584] The processor 830 may determine storage spaces for storing a
plurality of map information based on capacities of map information
received.
[0585] For example, first map information having the largest
capacity (first capacity) among a plurality of map information may
be stored in a first storage space having the largest storage
capacity among a plurality of storage spaces.
[0586] Also, second map information having the second largest
capacity (a second capacity smaller than the first capacity) among
the plurality of map information may be stored in a second storage
space having the second largest storage capacity among the
plurality of storage spaces.
[0587] In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the processor
830 may allocate a storage space for each map information
provider.
[0588] For example, the processor 830 may store at least one piece
of information (or a plurality of pieces of information) received
from a first map provider in a first storage space of the memory
885 and store at least one piece of information (or a plurality of
pieces of information) received from a second map provider in a
second storage space of the memory 885.
[0589] That is, the processor 830 may determine a storage space of
a memory to store map information according to a type or capacity
of each map information, or according to a map provider providing
(transmitting) the map information.
[0590] The plurality of storage spaces formed in the memory 885 may
all have the same capacity, or at least two of the plurality of
storage spaces may have different capacities.
[0591] In addition, the capacities of the plurality of storage
spaces may be changed by the control of the processor 830.
[0592] As described above, the memory included in the path
providing device 800 may include the first memory (RAM) 883 that
temporarily stores data while power is supplied, and the second
memory (flash memory) 885 that stores data even though power supply
is stopped.
[0593] Hereinafter, a method of storing map information received
through the communication unit 810 in the first and second memories
and deleting the stored map information will be described in more
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0594] FIGS. 17, 18, 19 are conceptual views illustrating example
methods for controlling a memory.
[0595] In some implementations, referring to FIG. 17, the processor
830 may store map data (a plurality of map information) received
from a plurality of map providers (map providing companies) in the
RAM (S1710).
[0596] For example, the processor 830 may preferentially store
information (map information) received through the communication
unit 810 in the first memory (RAM) 883.
[0597] Thereafter, the processor 830 may classify the information
stored in the first memory into volatile data and storage data
based on a type of the information stored in the first memory
(S1720).
[0598] For example, the processor 830 may delete the information
from the first memory 883 or move the information to the second
memory 885 (flash memory) for storage, based on the type of the
information stored in the first memory 883.
[0599] In some examples, the processor 830 may store information
(map information), which has been preferentially stored in the
first memory 883, in the second memory 885 and may structure the
received information (map information) to be accessible (S1730).
For example, the structuring may refer to dividing the information
into a plurality of layers as illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, or
generating autonomous driving visibility information as illustrated
in FIG. 10.
[0600] In some implementations, the processor 830 may divide
(partition) the second memory 885 into a plurality of storage
spaces. Here, dividing (partitioning) the second memory into the
plurality of storage spaces may refer to performing
partitioning.
[0601] The processor 830 may allocate the plurality of storage
spaces for each map provider.
[0602] The processor 830 may store information (map information)
received from a map provider that has transmitted the information
(map information) through the communication unit 810 in an
allocated storage space for the information. That is, the processor
830 may store information (map information) in a storage space
classified for each map provider (S1740). As another example, the
processor 830 may store received map information in a different
storage space based on a capacity or type of the received map
information.
[0603] Thereafter, the processor 830 may delete unnecessary
information existing in the first memory 883 according to a caching
policy of the map information (S1750).
[0604] For example, the processor 830 may delete data, which has
been moved (copied) from the first memory 883 to the second memory
885 for storage, and data, which is determined to have been
completely used for generating/updating an optimal path or
autonomous driving visibility information in the first memory 883,
from the first memory 883.
[0605] In addition, when loading (or accessing) data (map
information) stored in the second memory 885, the processor 830 may
load the data (map information) to the first memory 883 (RAM) for
use (S1760).
[0606] For example, a plurality of map information may be stored in
the second memory 885. In this state, the processor 830 may divide
a driving road to a destination into a plurality of path sections
based on characteristics of the road, and determine map information
to be used for each divided path section based on the
characteristics of the road.
[0607] Thereafter, the processor 830 may load map information to be
used for each path section from the second memory 885 to the first
memory 883 so as to generate an optimal path (i.e., MPP) in each
path section.
[0608] The related contents will be described later in detail with
reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. In some examples, the path providing
device 800 may receive various types of map information through the
communication unit 810, and store the received map information in
the memory in various ways.
[0609] For example, referring to FIG. 18, the processor 830 may
receive map information from the server 1400 through the
communication unit 810. At this time, the map information, as
described above, may be map information or partial map information
received in tile units.
[0610] The processor 830 may request to store map information
stored in the first memory (RAM) 883 in the second memory 885 in
tile units (or in units of partial map information) (S1810).
[0611] In this case, the processor 830 may determine whether there
is map information (or map information in tile units or partial map
information) that has been requested to be stored in the second
memory 885 (S1820).
[0612] When there is the map information requested to be stored in
the second memory 885, the processor 830 may compare a version of
the map information, which is stored in the first memory 883 and
has been requested to be stored in the second memory 885, with a
version of map information pre-stored in the second memory 885
(S1830).
[0613] At this time, when the versions of the map information are
different (S1840), the processor 830 may store the
storage-requested map information in the second memory 885
(S1850).
[0614] When there is no map information requested to be stored in
the second memory 885 in step S1820, the processor 830 may store
the storage-requested map information in the second memory 885.
[0615] In some implementations, when the versions of the map
information are the same as each other, it means that the map
information requested to be stored in the second memory 885 is
already stored in the second memory 885. When the versions of the
maps are the same, the processor 830 may delete the map information
stored in the first memory 883.
[0616] Referring to FIG. 19, the processor 830 may monitor a
storage-available space (i.e., vacant space) of the second memory
885 (S1910).
[0617] In this case, when the vacant space is smaller than or equal
to a threshold value, the processor 830 may determine a capacity
(or size) of data to be deleted (S1920).
[0618] Specifically, the processor 830 may select (determine) data
(map information) to be deleted, in consideration of at least one
of a data storage order, a frequency of use, a distance between a
current position of the vehicle and a position of an area included
in the data (map information) (S1930).
[0619] For example, when the vehicle is currently located at a
first position and there is map information (data) corresponding to
an area of a second position spaced apart from the first position
by a predetermined distance or more, the processor 830 may select
the map information corresponding to the area of the second
position as data to be deleted.
[0620] Thereafter, the processor 830 may delete the selected data
(map information) from the second memory 885 to secure (expand) the
storage-available space of the second memory 885 (S1940).
[0621] In some examples, the processor 830 may store data in
different ways according to a capacity of the second memory
885.
[0622] FIGS. 20 and 21 are conceptual views illustrating example
methods for storing map information in a memory.
[0623] For example, when a capacity of the second memory 885 is
greater than or equal to a predetermined size (that is, if enough),
the processor 830 may divide (partition) the second memory 885 into
a plurality of storage spaces without having to use a separate
external storage 886, and store map information in the divided
plurality of storage spaces.
[0624] In this case, as described above, the processor 830 may
store map information in a different storage space for each company
producing map information.
[0625] In some implementations, when the capacity of the second
memory 885 is smaller than the predetermined size (that is, if not
enough), the processor 830 may process the map information in the
following manner.
[0626] In some implementations, the processor 830 may store map
information within a predetermined radius based on the current
position of the vehicle in the second memory 885, and immediately
delete unnecessary data by determining validity of stored map
information based on the current position of the vehicle.
[0627] In some implementations, the processor 830 may store only a
basic layer, which is necessary for generating an optimal path
among a plurality of layers included in map information, in the
second memory 885.
[0628] Here, the basic layer may be a layer including road
information and lane information necessary for generating an
optimal path.
[0629] Subsequently, the processor 830 may receive the other layers
except for the basic layer from a server through the communication
unit 810 in real time, store the received layers in the first
memory (RAM) 883, and then update the optimal path or
generate/update autonomous driving visibility information.
[0630] The second memory may also be divided into a plurality of
storage spaces, and the plurality of layers of the map information
may be stored in the plurality of storage spaces, respectively.
[0631] In this case, the processor may determine a type of a memory
in which each layer is stored and a storage space in the second
memory based on at least one of a type and a capacity of each of
the plurality of layers.
[0632] For example, the processor 830 may determine a type of a
memory (first memory, second memory or external storage) in which
each layer is to be stored and a storage space in the second
memory, based on at least one of a type of each of the plurality of
layers (i.e., whether a layer is a basic layer) and a capacity of
each layer.
[0633] In some implementations, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the
processor 830 may store map information including a current
position of the vehicle and map information within a predetermined
distance from the current position in the second memory 885, and
store map information out of the predetermined distance in the
external storage 886.
[0634] In some examples, when information received through the
communication unit is map information having a predetermined
capacity or more, the processor 830 may store the map information
having the predetermined capacity or more in the external storage
which is provided in the vehicle and located outside the path
providing device.
[0635] In some cases, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the external
storage 886 may be divided into a plurality of storage spaces 886a,
886b, and 886c. The external storage 886, like the second memory
885, may store map information in a different storage space based
on a capacity of each map information, or store map information in
the same storage space for each map provider producing the map
information.
[0636] In some examples, map information may be pre-stored in the
second memory 885 or the external storage 886 since a product was
first released. This is for the processor 830 to generate an
optimal path or autonomous driving visibility information even
without receiving separate map information from the communication
unit 810.
[0637] In some cases, the processor 830 may load map information
pre-stored in the second memory 885 into the first memory 883 to
generate an optimal path or autonomous driving visibility
information.
[0638] In some implementations, when the processor 830 receives the
latest version of map information (or map information in tile
units) from the server through the communication unit 810, the
processor 830 may preferentially store the received map information
in the first memory 883.
[0639] Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the processor 830 may
determine whether the received pieces of map information are
present in the second memory 885.
[0640] If the received pieces of map information is not present in
the second memory 885, the processor 830 may move the received
pieces of map information from the first memory 883 to the second
memory 885 and store the received pieces of map information in the
second memory 885.
[0641] When the received pieces of map information already exist in
the second memory 885, the processor 830 may compare versions of
the received pieces of map information 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140
with versions of pre-stored map information.
[0642] Then, when the versions are different (for example, when the
versions of the received pieces of map information 2110, 2120, and
2130 are higher), the processor 830 may move the pieces of map
information 2110, 2120, and 2130 stored in the first memory 883
into the second memory 885 and store them in the second memory
885.
[0643] If the version of the received map information 2140 is the
same as that of the map information pre-stored in the second memory
885, the processor 830 may delete the received map information 2140
from the first memory 883.
[0644] In some examples, when the external storage 886 is present,
the processor 830 may also store the map information stored in the
second memory 885 in the external storage 886 in the same manner.
Subsequently, even if the map information is deleted from the
second memory 885, the processor 830 may generate an optimal path
or autonomous driving visibility information using the map
information, which is the same as the deleted map information,
stored in the external storage 886.
[0645] FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 are conceptual views illustrating
example methods for controlling a memory.
[0646] Referring to FIG. 22, the processor 830 may copy map
information (partial map information or map information in tile
units), which is necessary for generating an optimal path or
autonomous driving visibility information (EHP information) based
on a current position of the vehicle, from the second memory 885 to
the first memory 883 (S2210).
[0647] In addition, the processor 830 may receive the latest
version of map information tiles (i.e., the latest version of map
information or partial map information) from an external server and
store the received map information tiles in the first memory 883
(S2220).
[0648] The processor 830 may compare the version of the map
information received from the external server with a version of the
map information copied to the first memory (S2230).
[0649] Then, when the version of the map information received from
the external server is higher, the processor 830 may update the map
information copied to the first memory 883 and the map information
stored in the second memory 885 using the received map information.
Then, the processor 830 may delete the map information (data)
stored in the first memory 883 (S2240).
[0650] The processor 830 may generate the autonomous driving
visibility information using the received map information.
[0651] In this case, referring to FIG. 23, the processor 830 may
store the generated autonomous driving visibility information
(i.e., processed EHP map information) by allocating a separate
cache area of the first memory 883 (S2310).
[0652] In addition, the processor 830 may broadcast the autonomous
driving visibility information stored in the cache area to a system
(i.e., an electric component provided in the vehicle) through the
communication unit 810 (S2320).
[0653] At this time, the processor 830 may monitor whether it is
necessary to reuse a path (also, autonomous driving visibility
information) already passed (or used) based on a current position,
on the basis of a size of the cache (i.e., the cache area of the
first memory 883) (S2330).
[0654] Thereafter, the processor 830 may delete a path (also,
autonomous driving visibility information), which is out of a
predetermined distance range based on the current position, from
the cache area of the first memory 883 (S2340).
[0655] Through this configuration, the present disclosure may
perform fast processing by storing autonomous driving visibility
information in the first memory 883, and also ensure a storage
capacity of the first memory by deleting the stored autonomous
driving visibility information after broadcasting the autonomous
driving visibility information to an electric component equipped in
the vehicle.
[0656] In some implementations, referring to FIG. 24, the processor
830 may store the processed EHP map information (i.e., autonomous
driving visibility information) in a separately allocated cache
area of the first memory 883 (S2410).
[0657] Subsequently, when an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) in an ON
state is turned off, the processor 830 may move the autonomous
driving visibility information stored in the first memory 883 to be
stored in the second memory 885 (S2420). That is, because the
autonomous driving visibility information should be used at a fast
processing speed when the ACC function is performed, the autonomous
driving visibility information is stored in the first memory 883.
In some implementations, the autonomous driving visibility
information is used at a slow processing speed or is not used when
the ACC function is turned off.
[0658] Thereafter, when the ACC function of the vehicle is executed
again (ON), the processor 830 may load the autonomous driving
visibility information stored in the second memory 885 back into
the first memory 883. (S2430).
[0659] When the generation of the EHP information (autonomous
driving visibility information) is completed using the latest
version of the map information received through the communication
unit 810, the processor 830 may replace the autonomous driving
visibility information loaded to the first memory 883 with the
generated autonomous driving visibility information (S2440).
[0660] Here, the replacement may mean that the autonomous driving
visibility information loaded to the first memory 883 is deleted
and the newly-generated autonomous driving visibility information
is stored (or loaded) in the first memory 883.
[0661] Hereinafter, a method of generating an optimal path using
map information stored in a memory will be described in more detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0662] FIGS. 25 and 26 are diagrams illustrating example methods
for generating an optimal path (route) using map information stored
in a memory.
[0663] Referring to FIG. 25, the processor 830 may divide a driving
road to a destination into a plurality of path sections based on
characteristics of the road (S2510).
[0664] In addition, the processor 830 may determine a type of map
information to be used for each of the divided path sections based
on the characteristics of the road (S2520).
[0665] In detail, the processor 830 may generate an optimal path
for a path section having a first characteristic by using first map
information associated (linked) with the first characteristic
(S2530).
[0666] Also, the processor 830 may generate an optimal path for a
path section having a second characteristic different from the
first characteristic by using second map information associated
with the second characteristic (S2540).
[0667] Here, the first map information and the second map
information may be map information received from different entities
(that is, different map information providers, map information
companies, or map providers).
[0668] Each of the first map information and the second map
information may be partial map information having a predetermined
size and including the divided path section.
[0669] In this case, the plurality of map information may be stored
in the second memory 885. In this state, the processor 830 may
divide a driving road to a destination into a plurality of path
sections based on characteristics of the road, and determine map
information to be used for each divided path section based on the
characteristics of the road.
[0670] Thereafter, the processor 830 may load map information to be
used for each path section from the second memory 885 to the first
memory 883 so as to generate an optimal path (i.e., MTV) in each
path section.
[0671] That is, the first and second map information may refer to
map information in tile units or partial map information described
above.
[0672] As illustrated in FIG. 26, the processor 830 may determine a
road on which the vehicle should travel based on a current position
of the vehicle 100 and a position of a destination 2600.
Thereafter, the processor 830 may divide the driving road to the
destination into a plurality of path sections 2610, 2620, and 2630
based on the characteristics of the road.
[0673] For example, the first path section 2610 may refer to a
national road with many curves, the second path section 2620 may
refer to a highway, and the third path section 2630 may refer to a
city street.
[0674] The processor 830 may generate an optimal path 2612 for the
first path section 2610 having a first characteristic (e.g., the
national road) by using first map information associated with the
first characteristic.
[0675] Also, the processor 830 may generate an optimal path 2622
for the path section 2620 having a second characteristic (e.g., the
highway) different from the first characteristic by using second
map information associated with the second characteristic.
[0676] The processor 830 may generate an optimal path 2632 even for
the third path section 2630 having a third characteristic by using
third map information associated with the third characteristic.
[0677] That is, map information optimized (or detailed, compatible)
according to a characteristic of a path section may vary depending
on each map information provider. For example, in map information
made by a first map information provider, the first map information
associated with the first characteristic (national road) may be
more detailed than that included map information produced by other
map information providers.
[0678] In addition, in map information made by a second map
information provider, the second map information associated with
the second characteristic (i.e., the highway) may be more detailed
than that included in map information made by other map information
providers.
[0679] In this way, information related to a characteristic of a
road may be associated with each map information.
[0680] The processor 830 may determine map information to be used
in each path section based on a characteristic of a road associated
with each map information and a characteristic of a road for each
path section.
[0681] Thereafter, the processor 830 may generate an optimal path
in each path section, in lane units, by using the determined map
information.
[0682] In addition, the processor 830 may determine a path section
including a current position of the vehicle among the divided path
sections. The processor 830 may determine map information in the
memory based on a characteristic of a road belonging to the
determined path section. The processor 830 may estimate an optimal
path in the determined path section, in lane units, by using the
determined map information.
[0683] For example, when it is determined that the current position
of the vehicle is included in the first path section 2610, the
processor 830 may determine first map information, which is to be
used for calculating the optimal path in the corresponding path
section, in the memory based on the characteristic of the road
belonging to the first path section 2610. The first map information
may be map information associated with the characteristic (national
road) of the road belonging to the first path section.
[0684] Thereafter, the processor 830 may estimate the optimal path
2612 in the first path section 2610 in lane units using the
determined first map information.
[0685] Even when the current position of the vehicle 100 is in the
second path section or the third path section, the above-described
method may be equally/similarly applied.
[0686] In addition, when the vehicle has passed through a path
section in which the map information loaded to the first memory 883
is used, the processor 830 may delete the loaded map information
from the first memory 883.
[0687] As described above, in the state where map information used
for generating an optimal path is loaded from the second memory 885
to the first memory 883, the processor 830 may generate an optimal
path using the map information loaded to the first memory 883. This
is for quickly generating/updating an optimal path while the
vehicle is traveling.
[0688] In some implementations, when it is determined that the
vehicle has passed through the path section in which the map
information loaded to the first memory 883 is used, the processor
830 may delete the map information loaded to the first memory 883
from the first memory 883.
[0689] Hereinafter, effects of a path providing device and a path
providing method thereof will be described.
[0690] First, the present disclosure may provide a path providing
device including a memory optimized for generating or updating
autonomous driving visibility information.
[0691] Second, the present disclosure may effectively store and
delete information necessary to perform autonomous driving or
lane-based path guidance, by using an optimized memory.
[0692] Third, the present disclosure may provide a path providing
device that may efficiently process received information using a
plurality of memories, and improve memory efficiency by storing or
deleting information according to a type of information.
[0693] Fourthly, the present disclosure may provide a path
providing device that may store different types of map information
generated in different map providers separately by dividing a
memory into a plurality of storage spaces, and may generate
autonomous driving visibility information or an optimal path by
loading optimized map information from the memory according to
situations.
[0694] The present disclosure may be implemented as
computer-readable codes (applications or software) in a
program-recorded medium. The method of controlling the autonomous
vehicle may be realized by a code stored in a memory or the
like.
[0695] The computer-readable medium may include all types of
recording devices each storing data readable by a computer system.
Examples of such computer-readable media may include hard disk
drive (HDD), solid state disk (SSD), silicon disk drive (SDD), ROM,
RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage
element and the like. Also, the computer-readable medium may also
be implemented as a format of carrier wave (e.g., transmission via
an Internet). The computer may include the processor or the
controller. Therefore, it should also be understood that the
above-described implementations are not limited by any of the
details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified,
but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined
in the appended claims, Therefore, all changes and modifications
that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents
of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by
the appended claims.
* * * * *